Page 6 - ch 20

Module - V Kargil Conflict - 1999

Major Wars Post
20.2.4 American Intervention during Kargil Conflict
Independence
During the outbreak of war, Pakistan asked American help in de-escalating the conflict.
On June 18, the G-8 group of the world’s leading industrial nations met at Cologne in
Germany, and asked Pakistan to stop the aggression on the LoC and resume talks
with India. The American President, Bill Clinton refused to intervene until Pakistani
troops were fully withdrawn from the Indian side of the Line of Control. On July 4,
Note Pakistan Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, agreed to remove all his troops and most of
the fighting came to a gradual halt, while some troops remained in the LoC. The
United Jihad Council rejected Pakistan plan for a withdrawal and instead decided to
fight on independently. The victory is celebrated as Kargil Vijay Diwas on 26th July
every year (Kargil Victory Day) in India. India resumed its control of all territory
which was established in July 1972 as per the Shimla Agreement.
The World community criticised Pakistan for instigating the war, as both the Pakistan
paramilitary forces and insurgents crossed the Line of Control. Pakistan tries to justify
the world community but its diplomatic stance found few backers on the world stage.

Activity 20.1

Search the internet and write a paragraph on United Jehad Council.

20.3 Role of Indian Media during Kargil Conflict

During the Kargil War, the war stories and war footage were often telecast in Television
and many websites provided deep analysis of the war to the public. This conflict was
the first “live” war in South Asia with detailed media coverage. News papers and TV
channels were allowed to be in Kargil and allowed to cover war live. Some other
activities related to the media, which the Indian Government under took were as listed
below:
a) The Indian government placed a temporary news ban on Pakistan, banning the
telecast of the state-run Pakistani Channel PTV and blocking access to online
editions of the Dawn newspaper. In turn Pakistan criticized India on curbing the
freedom of press in India. Indian media claimed that the government action was
in the interest of National Security.

b) The Indian media ran stories in foreign publications including The Times and
The Washington Post, with creditable details of Pakistan’s role in supporting
the extremists in Kashmir.

Media coverage of the conflict was more intense in India than in Pakistan as war
progressed. Indian channels showed images from the battle zone in a style similar to
the coverage of the Gulf War by CNN (An American News Channel). Reasons behind
the increased coverage were because Indian Government gave opportunity to the

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MILITARY HISTORY