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In a surprising and historic admission, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir has acknowledged the country's active role in the 1999 Kargil War against India. This statement marks a significant departure from Pakistan's long-standing stance of denying direct military involvement in the conflict. The admission came during a speech commemorating Defence Day, where Munir lauded the sacrifices made by Pakistani soldiers in various wars, including the Kargil War.
For over two decades, Pakistan had consistently avoided acknowledging its direct military participation in the Kargil War. Instead, it had maintained that the infiltrators were “Kashmiri freedom fighters” or “mujahideen,” while claiming that Pakistani forces were only “actively patrolling” the region. This narrative was vehemently contested by India, which accused Pakistan of orchestrating the incursion. General Munir's admission implicitly acknowledges the Indian government's stance and directly contradicts Pakistan's previous denials.
The Kargil War, a fierce and bloody conflict fought at high altitudes in the Himalayas, began in 1999 after Pakistani forces infiltrated the Kargil district in Ladakh. The war erupted after India discovered the infiltration, leading to a full-scale military confrontation. The Indian Army, supported by the Air Force, launched Operation Vijay and successfully recaptured the strategically important heights in Kargil. The war resulted in a heavy loss of life on both sides, highlighting the severity of the conflict and its lasting impact on Indo-Pak relations.
This latest admission from the Pakistani Army Chief carries significant weight, potentially reopening old wounds and adding complexity to the already fraught relationship between India and Pakistan. While the admission may seem like a step towards acknowledging historical truths, it remains to be seen how it will affect future relations between the two nuclear-powered neighbours. The admission could also trigger further discussions and investigations into the Kargil War, potentially bringing new insights into the events that unfolded during the conflict.