The Pakistan Army Chief, General Asim Munir, has confirmed the army’s direct involvement in the 1999 Kargil War with India. Although this marks the first official acknowledgment by the Pakistani military of its role in the conflict, it is not entirely new information.
It is worth recalling that General Musharraf, the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan at the time, was in China during the Kargil War and gave instructions to his Vice Chief via telephone. He continually praised the operation’s success. This secure communication was intercepted by Indian Intelligence and shared with the global media. Despite receiving the mutilated bodies of Captain Saurabh Kalia and his men, Pakistan denied any involvement. To expose the truth, India made the intercepted audio public. Pakistan, however, continued to deny its role.
The Pakistan Army committed war crimes during the Kargil War. Now that their Chief has acknowledged the army’s role and praised his troops for their sacrifices, he must also take responsibility for the war crimes they committed. It is imperative that those who tortured and mutilated the bodies of our soldiers are held accountable.
