September 7th 2024.
The city of Islamabad was abuzz with excitement as the renowned Pakistani army chief, General Asim Munir, made a rare public appearance. During the Defence and Martyrs Day event at Rawalpindi on Friday, he took the opportunity to acknowledge the involvement of the Pakistan army in the Kargil war, a major conflict with India that took place in 1999. This announcement came as a surprise to many, as it is not often that a serving army chief openly talks about their country's involvement in a war.
The Kargil war, which ended with India reclaiming the border posts previously occupied by Pakistani infiltrators, is celebrated by India as Vijay Diwas on July 26th. In his speech, General Munir paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the Pakistani army in defending their motherland, with the unwavering support of its people. He also mentioned other significant conflicts with India, such as the Pak-India wars of 1948, 1965, and 1971, as well as the Siachen conflict, where thousands of soldiers lost their lives defending their country's security and honor.
Initially, Pakistan had denied any involvement in the Kargil war, stating that it was solely carried out by private "freedom fighters." However, as the intensity of the fighting increased, it became evident that both countries were engaged in a full-scale war. In his book 'In The Line Of Fire', former army chief Pervez Musharraf, who was in charge during the Kargil war, openly acknowledged the Pakistan Army's role in the conflict. He had even deployed the Northern Light Infantry to the Kargil region for the war efforts. After the war ended, Pakistan honored Captain Karnal Sher Khan and Havaldar Lalak Jan, from the 27th Battalion, Sind Regiment and Northern Light Infantry, respectively, with the highest gallantry award, Nishan-e-Haider.
General Munir also emphasized the importance of unity and solidarity within the country, stating that political differences should never turn into hatred. He reassured the nation that the strong bond between the army and the public would serve as a solid foundation to defeat any external enemy trying to create divisions among them. He further added that the relationship between the armed forces and the nation goes beyond duty, as the nation has always stood by the army in times of crisis, be it natural disasters, foreign hostilities, or the war against terrorism.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, along with other high-ranking military and government officials, and the families of soldiers. It was a day to honor and remember the brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country's safety and honor. The event was a reminder of the unbreakable bond between the army and the people of Pakistan, and how together, they can overcome any challenge that comes their way.
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