Drass (J&K): Accusing former Pakistan military ruler Pervez Musharraf of "telling lies", the retired Indian Army chief V P Malik on Saturday said that the Pakistani general seemed to change his perceptions and actions on the Kargil war before different audiences.
"He (Musharraf) keeps changing his statements. There was time, he was not owning up his role in the conflict. First he said it was only irregular militants fighting, but later changed his views and owned up that regular Pakistani army troops were involved in the intrusion," Malik said at a ceremony to mark 10 years of the conflict, which saw extraordinary feats of bravery and dare-devilry by Indian army men.
Commenting on claims made by Musharraf that through the Kargil, he had brought Kashmir issue back on the international agenda in a big way, Malik who led the Indian Army during the conflict period, said events were to the contrary, as it was a proud and brave Indian army, which evicted the Pakistanis from the heights occupied illegally by them.
Taking on the former Pakistani president, Malik said, Musharraf was an army chief, who did not dare to own up Pakistani army casualties and refused to take their dead bodies, which had to be buried with honour by Indian forces.
Malik also said that Pakistani rulers, including their military brass could not be trusted and New Delhi would have to step up preparedness, as any new war could be foisted on the country anytime.
Referring to defence setup in Kargil, the former Indian Army chief said that things are now much better. "We have strengthened our defences, people too are confident. We are now capable of defending every part of the country."
Remembering the war heroes and events that took place during the Operation Vijay, he said: "It is a memorable event. I would say it is honour for me to be part of this event here. By looking at the faces of the brave soldiers, kins of martyrs and awardees, I wonder what they are made of."