Exclusive interview: Musharraf hits back at Shahid Aziz

[Mujahid]

LAHORE: Former president of Pakistan, General (retd) Pervez Musharraf has responded to allegations made recently by Lt. Gen. (retd) Shahid Aziz that as army chief he was guilty of putting a “tight lid” on the Kargil war.

“Telling everyone about it was not necessary at all,” said Musharraf in an interview with Express News show Kal Tak that was aired Wednesday night. He added that he felt Aziz had an imbalanced personality and has resorted to character assassination by making these accusations.

“We lost the Kargil war, which was a big success militarily, because of Nawaz Sharif,” said Musharraf. “If he had not visited the US, we would have conquered 300 square miles of India.”

The former president said that the Kargil operation was not a major operation but a localized one. “Kargil was just one of many sectors all under a major general stationed in Gilgit, in charge of the area. Exchange of fire was routine there,” he explained.

He said that he would not go so far as to accuse Nawaz Sharif of betrayal, but his decision to withdraw from Kargil was a mistake. “Nawaz lost a political front which we had won militarily,” he added.

During the Kargil conflict of 1999, Aziz ran the Inter-Services Intelligence analysis wing.

“The prime consideration of such actions is security and secrecy, so the army leadership decides who is to be informed and when. As the operation progressed and the proper time arrived, a briefing of the corps commanders was also held,” he added.

“I am really astonished that Lt Gen Shahid Aziz is writing about this 10 years later,” said Musharraf when asked to comment on the accusation that he did not inform other generals.
He said that blaming the nation at this juncture of time, as Lt Gen (retd) Shahid has done, seems to be part of a conspiracy.

“It was a tactical action that had a strategic importance in which no more than a few hundred persons were involved, but which engaged thousands on the Indian side and was of tremendous importance.”

Musharraf justified Pakistani casualties in the conflict, saying that Pakistan lost only 270 men against India’s 1,600 soldiers.

India has reacted badly to the comments, asking Pakistan whether it wants to maintain a friendship with India given Aziz’s revelations that army regulars took part in the 1999 conflict.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2013.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/500922/exclusive-interview-musharraf-hits-back-at-shahid-aziz/

 

[tarrar]

Oh! I was really waiting for his reply against the lies which Lt.Gen.(R) Aziz is spreading. Gen. Musharraf said what I have been saying in other thread where Indians are blaming Pakistan, saying Pakistan lost the war from day one & other bullsh*t intolerable lies against Pakistan.

Gen. Musharraf is right that kuta Nawaz is directly responsible for the loss of Kargil war, which Pakistan & the Mujahidin’s were winning. Kuta Nawaz just threw it away & obeyed the order of his master US.

Lt.Gen.(R) Aziz is doing all this publicity only by telling all lies so that people can buy his book so that he make some money & make the enemies of Pakistan happy.

 

[Mujahid]

Oh! I was really waiting for his reply against the lies which Lt.Gen.(R) Aziz is spreading. Gen. Musharraf said what I have been saying in other thread where Indians are blaming Pakistan, saying Pakistan lost the war from day one & other bullsh*t intolerable lies against Pakistan.

Gen. Musharraf is right that kuta Nawaz is directly responsible for the loss of Kargil war, which Pakistan & the Mujahidin’s were winning. Kuta Nawaz just threw it away & obeyed the order of his master US.

Lt.Gen.(R) Aziz is doing all this publicity only by telling all lies so that people can buy his book so that he make some money & make the enemies of Pakistan happy.

And not to forget, Hamid Mir who is an anti-army chap, he brings a person to his show who will create controversy against Pak Army.

 

[anilindia]

Every one in pakistan is telling lie except Musharraf...

 

[Saleem]

“Telling everyone about it was not necessary at all,” said Musharraf in an interview with Express News show Kal Tak.

“We lost the Kargil war, which was a big success militarily, because of Nawaz Sharif,” said Musharraf. “If he had not visited the US, we would have conquered 300 square miles of India.”

The former president said that the Kargil operation was not a major operation but a localized one. “Kargil was just one of many sectors all under a major general stationed in Gilgit, in charge of the area. Exchange of fire was routine there,” he explained.

“The prime consideration of such actions is security and secrecy, so the army leadership decides who is to be informed and when. As the operation progressed and the proper time arrived, a briefing of the corps commanders was also held,” he added.

“It was a tactical action that had a strategic importance in which no more than a few hundred persons were involved, but which engaged thousands on the Indian side and was of tremendous importance.”

Musharraf justified Pakistani casualties in the conflict, saying that Pakistan lost only 270 men against India’s 1,600 soldiers.

India has reacted badly to the comments, asking Pakistan whether it wants to maintain a friendship with India given Aziz’s revelations that army regulars took part in the 1999 conflict.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2013.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/500922/exclusive-interview-musharraf-hits-back-at-shahid-aziz/

just shows pervez's [musharraf] incompetence as a general....in the british military system any operation is based on an "appreciation of the situation" ---major headings to be considered include: object, factors [terrain, opposing forces etc], courses available to the enemy, courses available to own forces and finally plan. there is no suggestion this was done..at the very least the DGMI [input on enemy forces], DGMO [input on forces], QMG&MGO [logistics] are required to give their input to arrive at a balanced appreciation. India had already demonstrated in 1965 operation that it considered kashmir part of india and if its position in kashmir was threatened, it would not hesitate to attack on other areas of the pak india border. there id even a story on the net that, when this plan was proposed to Gen Zia ul Haq he raised precisely this question [http://kaiser-aeronaut.blogspot.com/2009/01/kargil-conflict-and-pakistan-air-force.html]. from all accounts 6-9 battalions were involved and given the description of what happened very few of the forward deployed personnel [at least 6-9 rifle companies worth= 1,200 plus troops] got away unscathed -- i would estimate 450 shaheeds and rest wounded...the thing is that, had the indians not succeeded in taking back the kargil salient, they would have expanded the conflict ----and the whole world was against pakistan at the time ---trade embargo sanctions etc...in other words an economic collapse...

at strategic level one cannot behave like a platoon commander and give info on need to now basis to section commanders ----the general staff needs to plan operations properly AND political situation needs to be considered ---and it doesnt matter what nawaz did or did not do --militarily it was a criminal incompetence.......

 

[Guvera]

Mush is absolutely right here, it wasn't pak army, it was Nawaz who went to US and sold kargil.

 

[Black Widow]

“We lost the Kargil war, which was a big success militarily, because of Nawaz Sharif,” said Musharraf. “If he had not visited the US, we would have conquered 300 square miles of India.”



Source: http://www.defence.pk/forums/nation...rraf-hits-back-shahid-aziz.html#ixzz2JXRmv8hq

Look like Mushy forgot 1965.

If Pakistan escalated Kargil war India would have open front at international border. Look like Mushy had Ayub Khan syndrom. India was not crossing LoC only coz war was limited, if PAF and PN would have interfared, India would have open mutliple fronts..

Mush is absolutely right here, it wasn't pak army, it was Nawaz who went to US and sold kargil.

Miyan sahab saved PA. otherwise like NLF entire PA would have been annihilated. India would have broke its own record, this time there could be 2,00,000 War prisioners ...


and Unlike 71 USA wouldn't have sent there Fleet for Pakistan....

 

[Black Widow]

Musharraf justified Pakistani casualties in the conflict, saying that Pakistan lost only 270 men against India’s 1,600 soldiers.


Source: http://www.defence.pk/forums/nation...rraf-hits-back-shahid-aziz.html#ixzz2JXVBF9W4

Oh! I though Pakistan lost just 12 jehadi against 1,600 K%%%%%%....

Liar Musharraf, Ppl like Musharraf get Pakistani killed and bark against India, Poor Pakistanis don't see the trap and fall into Mushy trap. India lost 500-600 soldiers, here is the list
http://web.archive.org/web/20071222...peration=28&hidrecord=10&FormBugs_Page=1#Form

Now Liar Musharraf give ur list...

 

[Black Widow]

World opinion

Pakistan was criticised by other countries for instigating the war, as its paramilitary forces and insurgents crossed the Line of Control.[62] Pakistan's primary diplomatic response, one of plausible deniability linking the incursion to what it officially termed as "Kashmiri freedom fighters", was in the end not successful.[63] Veteran analysts argued that the battle was fought at heights where only seasoned troops could survive, so poorly equipped "freedom fighters" would neither have the ability nor the wherewithal to seize land and defend it. Moreover, while the army had initially denied the involvement of its troops in the intrusion, two soldiers were awarded the Nishan-E-Haider (Pakistan's highest military honour). Another 90 soldiers were also given gallantry awards, most of them posthumously, confirming Pakistan's role in the episode. India also released taped phone conversations between the Army Chief and a senior Pakistani general where the latter is recorded saying: "the scruff of [the militants] necks is in our hands,"[64] although Pakistan dismissed it as a "total fabrication". Concurrently, Pakistan made several contradicting statements, confirming its role in Kargil, when it defended the incursions saying that the LOC itself was disputed.[65] Pakistan also attempted to internationalize the Kashmir issue, by linking the crisis in Kargil to the larger Kashmir conflict but, such a diplomatic stance found few backers on the world stage.[66]
As the Indian counter-attacks picked up momentum, Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif flew to meet U.S. President Bill Clinton on July 4 to obtain support from the United States. Clinton rebuked Sharif, however, and asked him to use his contacts to rein in the militants and withdraw Pakistani soldiers from Indian territory. Clinton would later reveal in his autobiography that "Sharif's moves were perplexing" since the Indian Prime Minister had travelled to Lahore to promote bilateral talks aimed at resolving the Kashmir problem and "by crossing the Line of Control, Pakistan had wrecked the [bilateral] talks."[67] On the other hand, he applauded Indian restraint for not crossing the LoC and escalating the conflict into an all-out war.[68]
G8 nations supported India and condemned the Pakistani violation of the LOC at the Cologne summit. The European Union also opposed Pakistan's violation of the LOC.[69] China, a long-time ally of Pakistan, insisted on a pullout of forces to the pre-conflict positions along the LoC and settling border issues peacefully. Other organizations like the ASEAN Regional Forum too supported India's stand on the inviolability of the LOC.[66]
Faced with growing international pressure, Sharif managed to pull back the remaining soldiers from Indian territory. The joint statement issued by Clinton and Sharif conveyed the need to respect the Line of Control and resume bilateral talks as the best forum to resolve all disputes.[70][71]

 

[Guvera]

Look like Mushy forgot 1965.

If Pakistan escalated Kargil war India would have open front at international border. Look like Mushy had Ayub Khan syndrom. India was not crossing LoC only coz war was limited, if PAF and PN would have interfared, India would have open mutliple fronts..




Miyan sahab saved PA. otherwise like NLF entire PA would have been annihilated. India would have broke its own record, this time there could be 2,00,000 War prisioners ...


and Unlike 71 USA wouldn't have sent there Fleet for Pakistan....

Seems liek u have been watching quite a few bollywood movies lately, wakeup and come into reallity.

World opinion

Pakistan was criticised by other countries for instigating the war, as its paramilitary forces and insurgents crossed the Line of Control.[62] Pakistan's primary diplomatic response, one of plausible deniability linking the incursion to what it officially termed as "Kashmiri freedom fighters", was in the end not successful.[63] Veteran analysts argued that the battle was fought at heights where only seasoned troops could survive, so poorly equipped "freedom fighters" would neither have the ability nor the wherewithal to seize land and defend it. Moreover, while the army had initially denied the involvement of its troops in the intrusion, two soldiers were awarded the Nishan-E-Haider (Pakistan's highest military honour). Another 90 soldiers were also given gallantry awards, most of them posthumously, confirming Pakistan's role in the episode. India also released taped phone conversations between the Army Chief and a senior Pakistani general where the latter is recorded saying: "the scruff of [the militants] necks is in our hands,"[64] although Pakistan dismissed it as a "total fabrication". Concurrently, Pakistan made several contradicting statements, confirming its role in Kargil, when it defended the incursions saying that the LOC itself was disputed.[65] Pakistan also attempted to internationalize the Kashmir issue, by linking the crisis in Kargil to the larger Kashmir conflict but, such a diplomatic stance found few backers on the world stage.[66]
As the Indian counter-attacks picked up momentum, Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif flew to meet U.S. President Bill Clinton on July 4 to obtain support from the United States. Clinton rebuked Sharif, however, and asked him to use his contacts to rein in the militants and withdraw Pakistani soldiers from Indian territory. Clinton would later reveal in his autobiography that "Sharif's moves were perplexing" since the Indian Prime Minister had travelled to Lahore to promote bilateral talks aimed at resolving the Kashmir problem and "by crossing the Line of Control, Pakistan had wrecked the [bilateral] talks."[67] On the other hand, he applauded Indian restraint for not crossing the LoC and escalating the conflict into an all-out war.[68]
G8 nations supported India and condemned the Pakistani violation of the LOC at the Cologne summit. The European Union also opposed Pakistan's violation of the LOC.[69] China, a long-time ally of Pakistan, insisted on a pullout of forces to the pre-conflict positions along the LoC and settling border issues peacefully. Other organizations like the ASEAN Regional Forum too supported India's stand on the inviolability of the LOC.[66]
Faced with growing international pressure, Sharif managed to pull back the remaining soldiers from Indian territory. The joint statement issued by Clinton and Sharif conveyed the need to respect the Line of Control and resume bilateral talks as the best forum to resolve all disputes.[70][71]

Nobody gives a shitt abt what world says abt pak army, where is that world when thousand's of muslims were brutally killed in Gujraat ???

 

[tarrar]

And not to forget, Hamid Mir who is an anti-army chap, he brings a person to his show who will create controversy against Pak Army.

Yes it is true & that is exactly what he wants to do, frame Pakistan Army for everything & blame them for everything.

 

[AdeelFaheem]

Jitna Nuqsan Pervez Mush ny ISLAM, Pakistan and Pak Army ke repute ko puhanchaya hai, i can bet k Pervez ka Injam IBRAT'NAAK ho gaa, INSHA'ALLAH.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

just shows pervez's [musharraf] incompetence as a general....in the british military system any operation is based on an "appreciation of the situation" ---major headings to be considered include: object, factors [terrain, opposing forces etc], courses available to the enemy, courses available to own forces and finally plan. there is no suggestion this was done..at the very least the DGMI [input on enemy forces], DGMO [input on forces], QMG&MGO [logistics] are required to give their input to arrive at a balanced appreciation. India had already demonstrated in 1965 operation that it considered kashmir part of india and if its position in kashmir was threatened, it would not hesitate to attack on other areas of the pak india border. there id even a story on the net that, when this plan was proposed to Gen Zia ul Haq he raised precisely this question [http://kaiser-aeronaut.blogspot.com/2009/01/kargil-conflict-and-pakistan-air-force.html]. from all accounts 6-9 battalions were involved and given the description of what happened very few of the forward deployed personnel [at least 6-9 rifle companies worth= 1,200 plus troops] got away unscathed -- i would estimate 450 shaheeds and rest wounded...the thing is that, had the indians not succeeded in taking back the kargil salient, they would have expanded the conflict ----and the whole world was against pakistan at the time ---trade embargo sanctions etc...in other words an economic collapse...

at strategic level one cannot behave like a platoon commander and give info on need to now basis to section commanders ----the general staff needs to plan operations properly AND political situation needs to be considered ---and it doesnt matter what nawaz did or did not do --militarily it was a criminal incompetence.......

You have raised a very valid point.

How can a COAS or CGS sanction any plan without even letting the other PSOs (Principal Staff Officers) in GHQ even know about it?
Or were the PSOs considered to be untrustworthy?
Even the DGMO (DG Military Operations who normally is involved in planning/co-ordinating plans) was kept in the dark.
Was the DGMI (DG Military Intelligence) told about it? Evidence indicates that he was not.
So most of the Brains of the Pakistani Army (i.e. GHQ) was unaware of an Operation that the Pakistani Army was starting!

Forget about the political aspects. Can (and do) professional Armies function like this?

 

[Srinivas]

Musharraf is the biggest US stooge and he is lying.

 

[Albatross]

Nomatter what anybody says I know one thing Mush screwed Indian big time and was a great commando and he should never have come into politics and overthrew nawaz sharif...Indians were peeing in their pants and ran short of coffins in kargil...India spent 20 billion dollars which would be around 80 billion of today while Pakistan hardly spent a few lacs on bullets only and killed 3000 indian cowards while we lost hardly 300 soldiers and mujahaiden in total...

Above all he conveyed his message clearly to world that unless kashmir is resolved no peace is guaranted in this region...India would have never dared to open the inetrnational border as they were **** scared of our nukes and still are