In a historic first, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir publicly acknowledged the Pakistani military's direct involvement in the 1999 Kargil War against India, a conflict previously attributed to 'Kashmiri freedom fighters.' Speaking during Defence Day, Munir honored the Pakistani soldiers who participated in the Kargil conflict and other wars with India, including those in 1948, 1965, and 1971. This admission marks a significant shift from Pakistan's long-held stance of denying direct military engagement in Kargil. Munir's statement has been seen as a departure from the official narrative, aligning with earlier, unofficial acknowledgments by retired Pakistani military officials. The Kargil War had brought India and Pakistan to the brink of nuclear conflict and ended with Pakistani withdrawal under international pressure, particularly from the United States.