After 25 years, Pakistan Army admits its involvement in Kargil War

During an event to observe the neighbouring country's Defence Day, Pakistan's army chief, General Asim Munir, stated that the country lost many soldiers while fighting in the wars of 1965, 1971, and in Kargil in 1999.

The statement assumes significance given the fact that the Pakistani army has never accepted its direct involvement in the Kargil War in the past.

It has rather claimed that it was the work of "mujahideen or freedom fighters"

Addressing the gathering the Pak Army Chief said, "Be it 1948, 1965, 1971, or the Kargil war of 1999, thousands of soldiers have sacrificed their lives for Pakistan and Islam."

His statement is being seen as the first official confession by a sitting Army Chief on the direct role of the military in the Kargil war.

Former Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf always claimed that the Kargil War was a successful localized action.

The Kargil War was fought between India and Pakistan from May to July 1999 in the Kargil district of Ladakh (erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir) and elsewhere along the Line of Control (LoC).

The Indian Air Force jointly fought with the Indian Army to flush out the Pakistan Army and paramilitary troops from vacated Indian positions along the LoC, in what was designated as Operation Safed Sagar.

India has always stated that Pakistan's military move in Kargil was a calculated attempt to strengthen its grip over Kashmir.

However, documents left behind by casualties and later statements by Pakistan's Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff showed the involvement of Pakistani paramilitary forces, led by General Ashraf Rashid.