New Delhi: For the first time, the Pakistan Army has officially confirmed its involvement in the 1999 Kargil War. This significant admission marks a notable shift from previous denials of direct military participation during the conflict. While former high-ranking officials like Lieutenant General (retired) Shahid Aziz, Pervez Musharraf, and Nawaz Sharif had previously acknowledged the involvement, it was always after they had left office. Pakistan army chief confirms direct involvement in Kargil WarIn a landmark statement on Defence Day, General Asim Munir, the Chief of the Pakistan Army, addressed the country and made a noteworthy declaration. He stated, 1948, 1965, 1971 or Kargil war between India and Pakistan, or Siachen, many have sacrificed themselves in them. This public acknowledgment marks the first time the Pakistani military has officially confirmed its direct role in the Kargil conflict.During the 1999 Kargil War, Pakistan had consistently denied direct military involvement, instead portraying the infiltrators as Kashmiri freedom fighters or mujahideen. The official stance was that Pakistan forces were only actively patrolling the region, while claiming that tribal leaders were responsible for occupying the high-altitude positions.Watch video:BIG!For the first time ever, a sitting Pakistani army chief has accepted Pakistans direct involvement in the Kargil War.General Asim Munir, while addressing a gathering, acknowledged the Pakistan Armys role in the conflict. pic.twitter.com/QtdxU9NbZ0— Janta Journal (@JantaJournal) September 7, 2024Nawaz Sharif acknowledges Pakistans role in Kargil conflictNawaz Sharif, who was Pakistans Prime Minister during the Kargil War, also admitted the countrys involvement, though this acknowledgment came only after he had left office. Sharif revealed that Pakistan had breached the 1999 Lahore Declaration, which he had signed with former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This declaration had been intended to strengthen bilateral relations and maintain peace between the two nations.Overview of the 1999 Kargil WarThe Kargil War, fought between India and Pakistan in 1999, was a major military conflict centered in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir. The conflict began when Pakistani soldiers, disguised as militants, infiltrated Indian territory and occupied strategic peaks along the Line of Control (LoC). The infiltration was detected by India in May 1999, leading to intense battles in the challenging, high-altitude terrain of Kargil.Despite the difficult conditions, Indian forces made significant advances, employing artillery and air strikes to dislodge the infiltrators. The war, which lasted about three months, concluded in July 1999 with Indian forces regaining control of the territory.This recent admission by the Pakistani Army sheds new light on the 1999 conflict and acknowledges the sacrifices and roles of those involved in the war.
