Billo Rani
Senator (1k+ posts)
Kashmir was lost in 1971. That is when the state including khalai makhlooq gave up on the cause. The cause was picked up by civillians who then also gave it up in mid 2000s. I can get into a long debate over this on reasons for both but if one studies history you can reach same conclusion. Dictators and civilian leaders have just been doing lip service to the cause and that's about it.Kashmir was lost in Kargil. Pakistan had India on the bring but nawaz did deal with Clinton. That was the golden opportunity which was lost. After 9/11 terrorism became a world issue and therefore kashmir freedom struggle became terrorism.
Musharaff Kargil adventure is what generals with some tattas and testosterone do. Even if Kargil was retained and in Pak hands today, doesn't mean Kashmir would be in our hands. If someone thinks otherwise then you are living in alternate reality. Sure it would have given you strategic upper hand over some mountains but that's about it. Case in point check out J&K public reaction and more importantly support during the time when Kargil was going on.
Lastly lookup map of where Kargil and tell me how taking Kargil would have allowed you to cut off J&K from Himachal Pradesh? Even Musharaf had no designs nor Pak Army had any preparation to go beyond Kargil. If they had then PAF wouldn't have been sitting on their butts at home while this operation was going on.