Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The term "Mujahideen" (meaning holy warriors) was central to the narrative surrounding the 1999 Kargil War.
The conflict was a high-altitude mountain war between India and Pakistan in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
In early 1999, the Indian Army discovered that several strategic mountain peaks on the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) had been occupied by armed infiltrators.
These peaks overlooked the crucial Srinagar-Leh highway, threatening India’s supply lines to Ladakh.
Pakistan's Claim:
Pakistan's official stance was that the intruders were independent Kashmiri "freedom fighters" or "Mujahideens" acting on their own initiative to liberate Kashmir.
They denied any direct involvement of the Pakistani Army.
The Reality:
As India launched "Operation Vijay" to recapture the peaks, clear evidence emerged that the "Mujahideens" were actually regular soldiers of the Northern Light Infantry of the Pakistan Army, supported by militant groups.
Recovered documents, ID cards, and logistical trails confirmed that this was a planned military operation sanctioned by the Pakistani top brass.
Global Reaction:
The international community, led by the U.S., largely sided with India, calling for the maintenance of the sanctity of the LoC and demanding that Pakistan withdraw the intruders.
By July 1999, the Indian Army had successfully cleared the peaks, and the surviving infiltrators retreated to the Pakistani side.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The term "Mujahideens" was the label used by Pakistan for the intruders and militants who occupied Kargil.
Option (B) is the correct choice.