“Be it 1948, 1965, 1971 or 1999 Kargil-Pakistan India wars, thousands of Shuhadas (martyrs) have sacrificed their life for the country and nation,” said General Munir while addressing a ceremony at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi to mark the country’s 59th Defence Day.
This marks the first time a serving army chief has openly admitted to the army’s direct role in a conflict that has long been shrouded in denial and controversy in Pakistan.
For years, Pakistan’s military and political leadership has maintained a narrative that distanced itself from the Kargil operations, often referring to the infiltrators as mere “Kashmiri freedom fighters”.
India has, however, repeatedly said that the operation was a calculated military strategy aimed at altering the Line of Control (LoC) and asserting Pakistan’s claim over Kashmir.
The Kargil War was characterised by its high-altitude combat and brutal conditions, taking place in one of the most challenging terrains on Earth.
The Pakistani military’s strategy involved infiltrating troops disguised as militants into Indian territory, occupying strategic heights that overlooked key supply routes.
The operation was intended to disrupt Indian logistics and draw international attention to the Kashmir issue, thereby internationalising the longstanding conflict.
Operation Vijay in response
In strong retaliation to the Pakistan ‘infiltrators’, between mid-May and July 1999, the Indian Armed Forces gradually recaptured critical positions from the Pakistani infiltrators. The Kargil War officially concluded on July 26, 1999, when the Army announced the complete eviction of Pakistani forces from Indian soil.
Over two months, intense battles took place in the challenging mountainous terrain. The Indian Army, as part of Operation Vijay, managed to drive out Pakistani intruders and successfully recaptured Tiger Hill and other strategic positions.