July 12, 1999
New Delhi

On 09 July 1999, at 2130 hours, Pak Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) rang up our DGMO on the hotline. He informed our DGMO that they would pull out from Kaksar area with effect from First Light 10 July 1999 and thereafter, from remaining pockets on intrusion.

It was agreed that during this pull out period there would be no air strikes. Some ground weapons will also not be used in the sector where Pak Army withdrawal is underway. He also requested for a meting at Wagah borde. 11 July 1999 at 1330 hrs (IST). This was agreed to.

The reasons compelling Pakistan for pulling out their troops from our side of the Line of Control are obvious. Having suffered heavy casualties and with very low morale, the existing pockets would have been cleared in just a few days.

The meeting between the DGMO was held at Attari in the BSF Check Post area where some other modelities for early withdrawal of Pakistan troops were agreed to. Currently, Pak Army is in the process of pulling out from pockets in Mashkoh sector. Their withdrawal from Dras and Batalik sectors is of very little consequence. Almost all of these areas have been cleared already.

It is clarified that there is no cease fire or cessation of hostilities except that the use of air strikes and some ground based weapons will not take place in the sector where Pak withdrawal is underway.

"Op Vijay" is still continuing. At present there is no question of our pulling out of forces from the Kargil sector or anywhere else.