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Pak asked to pull out troops

India today categorically told Pakistan that it had no alternative but to pull out its troops and extremist elements from the Kargil sector and called upon Islamabad to uphold the 'sanctity of the Line of Control' in Jammu and Kashmir.

At a 70-minute meeting with Pakistan Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh put forth India's sense of outrage at the barbaric treatment meted out to captured Indian army personnel by Pakistan in violation of international conventions and all norms of civilised behaviour.

Official sources said the talks, which took place at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi amid tight security, were held in a "serious and business-like atmosphere".

Singh told Aziz that the ''armed intrusion and aggression committed by Pakistan from across the LoC in Kargil must be vacated. There is no alternative for Pakistan but to restore status quo ante.''

The two ministers, who later had a working lunch, were assisted by their respective high commissioners and senior officials.

Emerging from the talks, Aziz told the media, ''Our dialogue is in transit... It is too early to make a statement.

''We will be able to tell you something after we are through with our talks before I leave this evening.''

Singh did not answer any of the media queries by merely stating, ''I am taking his excellency for lunch.''

He said those responsible for the aggression in Kargil were 'guilty of transgressing the territory of trust". He also told Aziz that many of the intruders were regulars of the Pakistan army.

He reiterated the sanctity and inviolability of the LoC, which was vital for the maintenance of peace and security. He pointed out that the LoC was well-defined and well-delineated on authentic maps by the military authorities of the two countries. Its location had been known for 27 years.

While India was committed to building a relationship of peace, trust and confidence with Islamabad, the Pakistani forces and extremist elements would have to go and status quo ante restored in Kargil.

UNI

The Kargil Crisis

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