- Since the time of partition, when we attained independence from the colonial British, the relationship between India and Pakistan has been one of lack of trust, betrayal, animosity, antagonism, and a profound circumspection whenever attempts at peace were initiated by the good-meaning leadership from both ends. The chasm has only widened further over the decades, even as several attempts to usher in much-needed peace between the two neighbours have yielded no tangible results yet. One of the most earnest attempts to usher in long-term peace was initiated by the then National Democratic Alliance, led by Bharatiya Janata Party patriarch and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif.
PC: Media India Group
- The peace overtures that were undertaken saw the Indian PM cross the border into Pakistan in a bus in 1999 for the historic Lahore Summit. Unfortunately, while the peace efforts were underway, a clandestine intrusion across the Line of Control in Kargil was launched by the Pakistani military. The ill-timed military misadventure by the Pakistani military erupted into the Kargil War during the summer of 1999, effectively derailing the peace process. Note that the 1999 Kargil War was a high-altitude mountain conflict fought between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control (LOC) in Jammu and Kashmir. The elements – read as Pakistani military deep state – inimical to lasting peace between the two neighbours started the war under then General Pervez Musharraf.
PC: Aishwarya Sandeep
- The inhospitable, barren terrains of icy, near-vertical peaks of Kargil, Drass, Batalik, and the Mushkoh Valley not only tested the resolve of the Indian Armed Forces, stretching the war to 74 days, but also limited military resources available back then. Covert infiltration by Pakistani soldiers disguised as Kashmiri militants into strategic Indian positions during the winter aimed to sever the crucial NH 1A highway linking Srinagar to Leh. The bravado of the Indian Armed Forces led to a decisive victory, restoring the status quo ante bellum. However, the moot point to ponder over here is what an excellent opportunity was wasted by the Pakistani military elements that could have ushered in a much-needed thaw between the two nations constantly at war. Alas!
PC: BollySpice.com
- The role of the Indian Air Force during the conflict has been vividly captured in the recently released OTT series Operation Safed Sagar – of course, exercising creative liberty, interspersed with a beautifully woven emotional content expected from any entertainment platform meant for wider consumption – succeeds in showcasing how our soldiers laid their lives for securing the sovereignty of the nation vividly. The supreme sacrifices of our brave soldiers will remain ever etched for sure. The nation will remain indebted to these faceless but extremely valiant soldiers for eternity. The younger generation must know what transpired during those challenging times and the way our Armed Forces responded with extraordinary courage, fighting odds.
