SOURCE: AFI
In a historic shift, the Pakistan Army has officially acknowledged its role in the 1999 Kargil War with India. This comes nearly 25 years after the conflict, which resulted in a tense standoff between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
In a speech on Defence Day, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir stated, “1948, 1965, 1971 or Kargil war between India and Pakistan, or Siachen, many have sacrificed themselves in them.” This marks the first time the Pakistani military has publicly confirmed its direct involvement in the Kargil War.
During the conflict, Pakistan had vehemently denied direct military participation, instead portraying the infiltrators as “Kashmiri freedom fighters” or “mujahideen.” Islamabad claimed that Pakistan forces were merely “actively patrolling” the area while “tribal leaders” occupied the heights.
The Pakistani Army’s admission is a significant departure from its previous stance and could potentially open new avenues for dialogue and reconciliation with India. It also raises questions about the true nature of the conflict and the extent of Pakistan’s involvement.
This acknowledgment is likely to have far-reaching implications for the relationship between India and Pakistan, and it remains to be seen how India will respond to this development.