Home Latest News India Army Chief Warns Pakistan on Kargil Anniversary

India Army Chief Warns Pakistan on Kargil Anniversary

by AFP

Sajjad Hussain—AFP

Addressing media briefing in India-Occupied Kashmir, Gen. Bipin Rawat threatens a ‘bloodied nose’ if ‘misadventure’ repeated

India’s army chief warned Pakistan on Friday that it would get a “bloodied nose” if there was a repeat of a bloody battle, which took place 20 years ago.

Amidst renewed tensions between the neighbors, Gen. Bipin Rawat cautioned Pakistan as India staged nationwide ceremonies for the anniversary of the end of the three-month Kargil conflict.

About 1,000 Indian and Pakistani soldiers died in the battle, which has gone down in history as the world’s highest.

In May 1999, Pakistani troops and rebels crossed the disputed Kashmir border and seized Indian military posts in the Kargil mountains that had been vacated during winter months because of the intense cold at 18,000 feet. Indian troops eventually pushed the Pakistan military back. The Indian military has held ceremonies every July 26 since.

“This [Kargil] was a misadventure. Misadventures should not be repeated. You will get a bloodied nose next time,” Rawat said referring to Pakistan at a media briefing in India-Occupied Kashmir.

India’s right-wing government, which takes a hardline stance on Pakistan, held a series of flag-waving events to mark the 20th anniversary, including trekking trips to the mountain top frontier.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted a photo from 1999 when he said he went to Kargil to “show solidarity with our brave soldiers.” He paid tributes to the “mighty warriors who sacrificed everything to defend the motherland.”

Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli was among sports and Bollywood personalities to praise the military. “We will never forget all the sacrifices you made for us. Respect, Love, Salute,” said Kohli on Twitter.

India and Pakistan divided Muslim-majority Kashmir after their independence in 1947, but both claim the Himalayan territory in full. They have fought three wars since, including two over Kashmir. Ties hit a new low in February when they launched tit-for-tat cross-border airstrikes following a suicide bombing in India-Occupied Kashmir that was perpetrated by a local separatist but claimed by Pakistan-based militants.

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