In a first, Pakistan Army admits role in Kargil War
What's the story
In a significant departure from its long-standing narrative, the Pakistan Army has publicly acknowledged its involvement in the 1999 Kargil War against India. The admission came from Army Chief General Asim Munir during a Defense Day commemoration event, where he honored Pakistani soldiers who had died in various conflicts with India, including the Kargil War. "Be it 1948, 1965, 1971, or the Kargil war of 1999, thousands of soldiers sacrificed their lives for the country and Islam," he said.
Tribute
Pakistan Army Chief honors fallen soldiers
Pakistan has consistently denied direct military involvement in the war, referring to the infiltrators as "Kashmiri freedom fighters" or "mujahideen" up until this point. Late Pakistani military officer Pervez Musharraf, who was then a four-star General, authorized the secret infiltration of forces into the Kargil district of Ladakh in March 1999. After New Delhi detected the infiltration, a full-scale war broke out in May 1999.
Twitter Post
Pakistani army has never publicly acknowledged its role
Breaking: First time ever Pakistani Army accepts involvement in Kargil War; Sitting Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir confirms Pakistan Army involvement in Kargil War with India
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) September 7, 2024
PS: Pakistani army has never publicly acknowledged its direct role in the Kargil War, so far pic.twitter.com/UgCUMfXHt9
Defeat recognized
Pakistan's defeat in Kargil War acknowledged
The Indian Army launched Operation Vijay in May 1999 with the backing of the Air Force and was able to recover the heights of Kargil on July 26, 1999. The day is known as 'Kargil Vijay Diwas' to commemorate India's triumph over Pakistan during the war. A total of 545 soldiers lost their lives in the war. Since then, India has consistently maintained that the Kargil conflict was a direct act of aggression by the Pakistani military.
Ceremony
Ceremony held to commemorate sacrifices of soldiers
According to Geo TV, the Defense and Martyrs Day ceremony was held to commemorate the sacrifices of soldiers during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965. "The Indian forces crossed the international border in the darkness of night to attack Pakistan but the nation foiled nefarious designs of the enemy," the Pakistan-based channel wrote. It said that border areas in Lahore, Sialkot, and Sindh were attacked on September 6, and the battle continued until the United Nations (UN) intervened on September 22.