Pakistan Army Chief
For the first time, Pakistan Army Chief has publicly acknowledged its role in the 1999 Kargil War with India. During an event marking Defence Day, Army Chief General Asim Munir paid tribute to Pakistani soldiers who lost their lives in various conflicts with India, including Kargil—an event previously avoided in official statements for over 20 years.
Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir emphasized the Pakistani people’s bravery and their understanding of the value of freedom, highlighting the soldiers’ sacrifices in wars such as those of 1948, 1965, 1971, and Kargil.
This marks a shift from Pakistan’s earlier official stance, which framed the Kargil conflict as mainly led by Kashmiri militants and “mujahideen.” The general’s remarks acknowledged the deaths of Pakistani soldiers in Kargil, where Pakistani forces took strategic positions in Kashmir, leading to a strong Indian military response. The operation ended in defeat for Pakistan, with U.S. President Bill Clinton pressuring then-Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to withdraw troops.
India has consistently maintained that the Kargil conflict was a direct military action by Pakistan, with evidence from intercepted communications between General Musharraf and his Chief of General Staff. Relations between the two countries remain tense, primarily due to the ongoing Kashmir dispute and frequent cross-border clashes along the Line of Control (LoC).
