Modi aide slams Musharraf’s comments
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NEW DELHI: Former military ruler Pervez Musharraf said on Sunday that his forces had caught India by the throat in the 1999 Kargil war, but a close aide to Prime Minister Narendra Modi pooh-poohed the claim on Monday, saying the world knew India’s true military prowess.
“I don’t think India would ever be able to forget the three-month-long battle (Kargil war) when our gallant armed forces caught them by the throat,” Gen Musharraf was quoted by Press Trust of India as saying in Karachi on Sunday.
He was addressing a convention of the youth wing of his party, the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML).
He said that the Pakistani armed forces had caught their Indian counterparts by surprise in Kargil.
In a brief rebuttal quoted by Doordarshan, India on Monday hit out at Gen Musharraf’s comments on Kargil.
Reacting to the comments, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh said the world knew about India’s power before and after the Kargil war. According to Doordarshan, he said the world was seeing India as a global power.
Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2015
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Comments (80) Closed
May 19, 2015 07:17am
well done Musharraf
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May 19, 2015 07:25am
Musharraf is right…. India had to involve super powers to have Pakistan Army back off and the corrupt Nawaz Shariff made sure he sold out his country back ordering Army to back down.. Musharraf is the MAN!!
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May 19, 2015 07:56am
one lie leads to thousand lies. Beginning, he denied, it was not their regulars and even insulting the brave soldiers by refusing to get the bodies of the soldiers who died. Now comes with other lie. when will you say the truth major
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May 19, 2015 08:29am
Musharraf was better than present leaders....
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May 19, 2015 08:41am
To be honest, general public does not know who won or who lost Kargill war, however, GM is correct in a way that since Pakistani troops initiated the war, they might surprised Indian troops; that makes some sense
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May 19, 2015 08:43am
Good man Musharraf
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May 19, 2015 09:09am
Why talk of war all the time and not about peace ?
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May 19, 2015 09:34am
In an overall assessment, Gen Musharraf is correct, though we lost the advantage in the political battle following the Kargil episode, due to ineptness of our political leadership.
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May 19, 2015 09:40am
The General was quoted as saying the purpose of mission was to internationalize the K issue. Did Pervaiz Musharraf succeeded???
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May 19, 2015 09:56am
Kargil was Musharraf's biggest blunder followed by his return to Pakistan. The former resulted in spilled blood on both sides but without any gain to Pakistan. Whereas the latter resulted in spate of cases including treason against the former General but no top job for which he came back.
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May 19, 2015 10:03am
You are the Boss, General Sb.
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May 19, 2015 10:21am
@Sajjad Khan : You are a true muslim
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May 19, 2015 10:22am
Pakistan and India will only move forward if they have peace and friendly relationships and allow the free movements of both country people in the field of trade, education , sports and all other aspects of life.
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May 19, 2015 10:29am
Bring Mush back!!
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May 19, 2015 10:29am
Talk talk and talk.
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May 19, 2015 10:32am
Why promote a dictator instead of democracy ?
He might have done a few good things but he had snatched power to become autocrat.
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May 19, 2015 10:34am
If only Pakistan had invested billions of dollars in power plants, instead of wasting it in a war.
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May 19, 2015 10:39am
Above nationalities let me make my point as a common citizen.
Kargill is done and dusted. A war has damages on both sides no matter who wins or loses
Why is Musharraff always talking such abstract things. I remember when I used to sing praises of Musharaff's ability to bring in long term peace to Pakistan, grow its economy and rein in the mad Mullahs.
That same man now sounds gibberish. Wonder what happens to humans in power and out of power.
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May 19, 2015 10:57am
Great. One thing that Musharraf has contributed to Pakistan. He has also ensured that Pakistani currency decline which had better value than India before his coup.
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May 19, 2015 11:10am
Anything to stay relevant! Instead of acting like a true statesman Musharaff is acting like a state level politician giving comments and slogans just to stay relevant in news!
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May 19, 2015 11:26am
I always appreciated the bravery of Musharraf.
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May 19, 2015 11:36am
@Shah, Canada But he is cant WIN elections
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May 19, 2015 11:50am
@Sajjad Khan There were lots of things, but the war is highlighted.
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May 19, 2015 11:52am
People in countries which are global powers don't relieve themselves on roads in their main cities. First make toilets for your 1 bn people then try to feed them then think of becoming a global power. Big population and large territory doesn't mean you can dream of becoming a global power.
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May 19, 2015 11:53am
I'm from India. But I'm not angry with musharaf's comment. We understand his situation. Failed everywhere (even in Kargil). Now trying luck in politics. All the best you failed general.
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May 19, 2015 12:00pm
Musharraf is trying hard to find ground to come back in Pakistan politics. Desperate to cash out his failed attempt to capture Indian land. He talks a lot about his initiative to grab the land, however he always remain mum on after effects where Pakistan was humiliated at international level on all the forums.
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May 19, 2015 12:04pm
The fact that a minister of state in Indian PM's office has to react to personal opinions of an ex-President / COAS from Pakistan, shows how Musharraf is still on the nerves of Indian psyche, despite several years since leaving office. It only shows how effective he has been in countering them.
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May 19, 2015 12:06pm
Truth is always bitter!
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May 19, 2015 12:13pm
@Umair Afzak it doesn't matter...
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May 19, 2015 12:22pm
Good way to revive his party.
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May 19, 2015 12:52pm
good musharaf sahib.
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May 19, 2015 12:56pm
Pakistan badly in need of such a brave leader ....
Long Live Musharraf !!!
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May 19, 2015 01:04pm
Trying to catch people by throat doesn't work Mr former President , you tried the same with Bengalis as well and results are in front of you . For every misadventure by people like you, your country has to pay back.
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May 19, 2015 01:32pm
Yes Dr Singh the world also know Pakistan's army power. As a politician you did not deny what Musharraf said.
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May 19, 2015 01:34pm
Musharraf can still get Indians very uncomfortable. Despite his age , Musharraf has got what it takes to handle Indians.
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May 19, 2015 01:53pm
@Blacksheep You like fairy tales.
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May 19, 2015 02:00pm
What bravery? Musharaf almost took Pakistan to a bitter war with India and knew the fire power of India's defence powers.
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May 19, 2015 02:06pm
Yes he did few good things. BUT he spoiled the overall achievements he did in his era by doing the NRO.
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May 19, 2015 02:09pm
Musharaf the lone good leader we had for the past 60 years; not that he did not make any mistakes. He has been a confident and forceful person throughout his tenure .
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May 19, 2015 02:19pm
@Sajjad Khan : Very nice comment Sajjad!
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May 19, 2015 02:35pm
Many innocent people died in his regime, because of his inefficiency to manage the affairs tactfully.
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May 19, 2015 02:51pm
World progressively looks ahead and our leaders talk about the past which will never help shape better future.
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May 19, 2015 03:27pm
what was gain of Kargil.We all know the losses.
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May 19, 2015 03:37pm
Mush is one of Pakistan's big losers.
He makes a lot of noise but did not win a single war. He is now showing he can't win a single election.
He has always lost. Never won anything.
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May 19, 2015 03:45pm
Well done Gen Saab. You r brave and gutsy soldier of Pakistan. Love u.
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May 19, 2015 03:50pm
@Umair Afzak Thats the problem, I was just reading the article by PERVEZ HOODBHOY and he said people of Pakistan can't write and speak English and very bad in math but still they want to continue the FIGHT just because of some political corrupt people who mindwash Pakistanis.
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May 19, 2015 03:58pm
@Sajjad Khan: Good One Sajjad. Atleast there are some people in Pakistan who wants peace. Kargil didn't do anything to both nations. Atleast, he should have utilized his intelligent brain in development of pakistan. He is speaking these blunders, only for political benefit, to regain his position. Pakistan should now look at development, infrastructure, "Make in Pakistan". I have never seen a single product described as "Made in Pakistan" in my lifetime.
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May 19, 2015 04:00pm
About 90% of Pakistani readers supported the action of Ex Gen. But one thing I want to know from all of you .....except India hetered do you have any thing to offer to your own population ? Since 60 years these Gen promises for Kashmir.....result you know better. When we tell war is the not a option for South Asia. I do not know about you but sir; We don't want war with any body for 30 years our focus. Is development. And mind it no body in Interested to discuss Pakistan.
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May 19, 2015 04:32pm
Instead of progressing he always goes on destroying. Love change everything but war will only destroy.. look at the people who died, its not that only soldiers died but their wife become widow, children become orphan. mother-father loss their sons and sisters loose their brother.
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May 19, 2015 04:34pm
Musharaf was a coward.
Reason - During Kargil war he denied Pak army is involved.
Though you were in advantage position, but lost to Indian army.
It was Nawaz who saved you with help of USA.
Otherwise it would have resulted full fledged war, and I do not think Pakistan could have afforded a full fledged war with India then, now and in future.
Kamal
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May 19, 2015 04:37pm
@Umair Afzak PATA LAG RHA HAI AP KONSY CANADA SE HAIN, APKIA ENGLISH SE.
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May 19, 2015 04:50pm
@SANJEEV KUMAR YADAV ::: it's not a fairy tale
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May 19, 2015 04:52pm
it's not a fairy tale
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May 19, 2015 05:29pm
Why can't we talk about peace.War is not the answer for every issue. Pakistan and India can each utilize one anothers resources and expertise in various fields. Our youth need to stop listening to these war mongers on both sides.
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May 19, 2015 05:35pm
@Kamal India can not afford a full fledged war with Pakistan either.
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May 19, 2015 05:53pm
War must not b glorified
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May 19, 2015 06:00pm
Long Live Pervez Musharraf
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May 19, 2015 06:22pm
@Kamal - You said the truth...
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May 19, 2015 06:22pm
we should not compare power but progress the friendly relation of India and Pakistan.
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May 19, 2015 07:31pm
it is ok if general sahib is giving some thing to pak people to cheer .... rven though false .. pak people will believe any thing and anybody if its against India ... bcoz they have nothing to cheer ...
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May 19, 2015 08:39pm
@Sandhu Lol! Talk Talk and Talk. Whatelse??
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May 19, 2015 10:29pm
@bryan "I remember when I used to sing praises of Musharaff's ability to bring in long term peace to Pakistan, grow its economy and rein in the mad Mullahs. That same man now sounds gibberish. "
It is his desperate attempt to stay relevant in today's political landscape, after being disappointed in Kayani and his own party people deserting him in droves.
Pakistan on it own, has more problems now than it did back in his days. So, that gives him a hope that he can still make a comeback. But the truth is, many of the problems he created have multiplied since.
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May 19, 2015 10:34pm
@rahat little correction.
Considering India's economic and military strength,there is no question of affordability.
The truth is India doesn't want to initiate war as she never did in past.
People at other side have a very wrong image of India.
If you take survey in India.majority people will say NO to war.This is how we are.
The one school of thought says why to fight with Pakistan when we do not have anything to gain?Others says war doesn't make any sense against any country.
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May 19, 2015 11:34pm
@Hope. Where was the need for Gen.Musharaf to internationalize Kashmir issue when Mr.Vajpai and Mr.Sharif actually already closed Kashmir deal and were waiting for implementation?
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May 20, 2015 01:25am
@Just saying Musharraf will not win any elections.
We are safe.
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May 20, 2015 09:47am
Only General in ages who accepts his mistakes too.
Long live Musharraf!
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May 20, 2015 10:43am
@rehan ,you're very under estimate
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May 20, 2015 10:57am
@rehan Yes that is true.
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May 20, 2015 11:58am
I do not know what nonsensical comments are being made by both sides. India relaxed its vigil as Nawz Sharif & Vajpayee were in serious talks. The Pak army occupied areas of Kargil. When Indian forces realised that they drove out the intruders. Nawaz , on behalf of the Pak army, went begging to Clinton asking him to put pressure on Vajpayee & Clinton responded by asking Sharif to order the Pak army to withdraw. Musharaff played a charade of this being unaware of the intruders and finally had to acknowledge that the intruders were Pakistani army soldiers. It was a humiliating defeat for Pakistan & Clinton had to apply enormous pressure so that India did not go on to occupy some parts which were under Pakistani occupation. It must not be forgotten that in 1998, India & US had a hostile relation while Pakistan & US were extremely close. Pakistani army was badly defeated in 1998 also.
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May 20, 2015 04:31pm
@rahat lets try.
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May 20, 2015 05:20pm
Many of the posts on this article call Musharraf a leader. Leader is some one who is selected or elected by the people of the land. Musharraf on the other hand arrested the elected leader and forced himself as a leader of the land. How can people call him a leader. He was a true dictator and not a leader.
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May 20, 2015 06:53pm
@Rashid Ishaq "general public does not know who won or who lost Kargill war, "
General public in Pakistan doesn't perhaps, but the world knows that we went and occupied positions well across the LOC, but were beaten back.
There have been many books written in Pakistan, by men in uniform. All bar none, implicate general Musharraf's rambo move as colossal miscalculation where large parts of our armed forces were kept in the dark. Yet we still peddle the hollow bravado about not knowing who won or lost the war? Wasn't the aim to capture Kargil? Did we achieve it? No. So, instead of admitting we failed in our mission, we change the goal post by saying, "see... we took the enemy by surprise!". Classic reasoning... we have shamelessly heard it so many times now.
Contrast this with Siachen. India occupied it and are still there decades later. All we do is plead with them to demilitarize it. Why don't we kick them out?
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May 20, 2015 06:54pm
Hassan Raza "Pakistan badly in need of such a brave leader .... Long Live Musharraf !!!"
He is neither brave, nor a leader. His tacit nod to the Americans for bombarding our tribal areas, is a horror story that replays in our country on a daily basis.
When the foolish man couldn't achieve his mission of holding on to Kargil, he chose to mask his failure by saying "our forces caught them by the throat". What about "we came back empty handed"? Why couldn't we accomplish what the Indians were able to in Siachen?
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May 20, 2015 07:17pm
@Vivek Tiwari :Yes power plants would have improved your lives. But NEW expanded territory is Conquest like the OLD TIMES for GLORY!
But mush failed!
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May 20, 2015 07:21pm
@bryan :Land --Territory is Concrete --not abstract --GLORY is abstract and Mush failed.He should be tired for War Crimes --now that it is proven that he failed after Attacking a foreign nation ---and Failed!!
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May 20, 2015 08:36pm
Statement given by Mr Musharraf was true and no one can deny the statement of Mr Vajpai that we were hit from the back
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May 20, 2015 09:59pm
@Dev;
Lie. The last time Pakistan's currency was valued higher than India's was General Zia's era.
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May 20, 2015 10:06pm
@Hassan Raza;
"Pakistan badly in need of such a brave leader .... Long Live Musharraf !!!"
Our misfortune is that our enemies recognize our good leaders before we do, starting right from the holy profit (peace be upon him). We have a jewel of a man in General Raheel, stand behind him before our internal and external enemies cast him to the dustbin of history.
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May 20, 2015 10:14pm
@Dev,You are completely and 100% wrong,go back and see what the value of rupee was against the dollar,than compare it to today,last year and 5 years before.During Musharraf's era,Pakistan actually had a surplus,came closest to solving Kashmir issue.And by the way,the only country head I know who can sit in India and talk against India right on your dharti.
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May 21, 2015 12:05am
Although it is currently improper to bring up this subject as both the countries try to rebuild their relations with some form of confidence-building measures, it would have been better if there was no response/comment from the other side of the border. Musharraf is presently not considered as an active political personality but Mr. Modi is. The events of that adventure were not revealed in detail and, hence, there cannot be a debate at this time. So, both parties, please exercise caution in such sensitive matters as there is always a possibility of a negative fall-out on the potential progress in relations between the two neighbors.
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