NEW DELHI: Pakistan army chief Asim Munir and other senior officers on Saturday paid "heartfelt tribute" to Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed on the occasion of his 26th "martyrdom" anniversary for what Islamabad describes as his unwavering courage and patriotism during the 1999 Kargil war. However, it's learnt that Pakistan had refused to accept his body that was found on Tiger Hill in the Dras sub-sector.
According to a press release issued by the Indian embassy in Washington on July 15, 1999, Pakistan authorities adamantly refused to acknowledge the involvement of Pakistan army regulars in the misadventure in Kargil and as a part of that process did not initially acknowledge Khan's identification by India through correspondence found on him.
"It is clear that Pakistan is fully aware of the identities of these bodies but they do not wish to acknowledge this fact as it would immediately expose their army's involvement in Kargil. Hence, their persistent and callous refusal to do so, they are doing great disservice to the families of their soldiers and to the traditions of armed forces everywhere," the embassy had said in its statement.
India had approached Pakistan on July 12, saying it would like to hand over the body to the Pakistan army. Subsequently, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) approached India on July 13, stating that the Pakistan govt had requested them to contact India for handing over the bodies of the two officers about which they had heard.
"The Pakistani request did not specify the names and identities of the two officers, despite the information being available to them. The reason is obvious. The Pakistan authorities realised that if they conceded the identities of these two officers, it would demolish the myth that the Pakistan army was not involved in Kargil," said the embassy.
According to a press release issued by the Indian embassy in Washington on July 15, 1999, Pakistan authorities adamantly refused to acknowledge the involvement of Pakistan army regulars in the misadventure in Kargil and as a part of that process did not initially acknowledge Khan's identification by India through correspondence found on him.
"It is clear that Pakistan is fully aware of the identities of these bodies but they do not wish to acknowledge this fact as it would immediately expose their army's involvement in Kargil. Hence, their persistent and callous refusal to do so, they are doing great disservice to the families of their soldiers and to the traditions of armed forces everywhere," the embassy had said in its statement.
India had approached Pakistan on July 12, saying it would like to hand over the body to the Pakistan army. Subsequently, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) approached India on July 13, stating that the Pakistan govt had requested them to contact India for handing over the bodies of the two officers about which they had heard.
"The Pakistani request did not specify the names and identities of the two officers, despite the information being available to them. The reason is obvious. The Pakistan authorities realised that if they conceded the identities of these two officers, it would demolish the myth that the Pakistan army was not involved in Kargil," said the embassy.
You may also like
'Struck and destroyed': Israel launches airstrikes on Yemen's Houthis; India-bound vessel seized by rebel group in 2023 among targets hit
Uttar Pradesh no longer 'lawless', has become 'best state': BJP MP Dinesh Sharma
The Fall Of Good Glamm, Startup Funding Last Week & More
Nearly 70,000 perform Amarnath Yatra in 4 days
What Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh Revealed About India's Military Challenges
