On Friday (6th September 2024), the Pakistan Army finally confessed its culpability in the 1999 Kargil War. Notably, it is the first time that the Pakistan Army has publicly accepted its involvement in the Kargil War. This comes nearly 25 years after countless Pakistan Army personnel infiltrated and occupied mountain peaks, in an act of betrayal to India’s bus outreach to improve diplomatic ties with the Islamic Nation.
On Friday, the Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir delivered an address on its defence day. During his address, the Pakistan Army Chief said, “1948, 1965, 1971 or Kargil war between India and Pakistan, or Siachen, many have sacrificed themselves in them”.
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
It is pertinent to note that while the Pakistani media reports have completely omitted his reference and remarks on the Kargil War, he could be heard “lauding” Pakistani soldiers for so-called brave acts during several wars with India including Kargil at around 1:40 minutes into this video.
Till 6th September 2024, the Pakistani Army had never publicly and officially accepted its direct involvement in the Kargil War. Incidentally, when the Kargil war broke out, Islamabad often referred to the infiltrators as “Kashmiri freedom fighters” or “mujahideen”, while denying their direct military involvement.
The Islamic nation maintained that the Pakistan forces were ‘actively patrolling’ while “tribal leaders” were occupying the heights.
Former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria told WION, “It is well accepted that the Kargil misadventure did not help Pakistan and was Musharraf’s folly, executed by him and a cabal of four generals. Nawaz Sharif has openly criticised it.”
Earlier, only the retired Pakistani officials had accepted the involvement of their country’s army in the mountainous war against India. These retired officials included Lt Gen (retd) Shahid Aziz. After he retired from the forces, he openly revealed the role of regular Pakistani troops in the Kargil misadventure.
Aziz described the operation as a “four-man show” which was kept secret from other military commanders. According to the retired Pakistani official, the Kargil operation was known only to Gen Pervez Musharraf, chief of general staff Lt Gen Mohammad Aziz, FCNA (Force Command Northern Areas) commander Lt Gen Javed Hassan, and 10-Corps commander Lt Gen Mahmud Ahmad.
Ajay Bisaria further explained, “The Pakistan army’s direct involvement in Kargil is well established and accepted in Pakistani writings, including the book by Naseem Zehra, which is based on interviews with Pakistani generals”.
Furthermore, Nawaz Sharif who was Pakistan’s PM during the Kargil war, also acknowledged the country’s role. However, he also admitted Pakistan military’s role only after he left office. He admitted that Pakistan had violated the 1999 Lahore Declaration, which he had signed with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
