Indian Troops Move Into Battle Zone

Indian soldiers wearing white snow boots and thick jackets moved deliberately over a frigid Himalayan battle zone Thursday, hoping to take up positions once held by retreating Islamic rebels.

The soldiers reported seeing militants moving back toward the cease-fire line that divides Indian- and Pakistani-held Kashmir ahead of a deadline today to evacuate. For the first time since the conflict began, no Pakistani artillery shelling was reported by India.

Commanders said they believed the guerrillas had pulled back from most of their bunkered hide-outs. Field units reported seeing them crawling out of their positions, lugging whatever supplies they could.

The Indian soldiers moved deliberately into positions atop the strategic mountains, for fear of tripping antipersonnel mines believed hidden by rebels beneath small rocks.

In New Delhi, experts analyzed aerial pictures of the four sectors in northern Kashmir to monitor the rebels’ movements. The fighting has left more than 1,200 people dead or wounded since early May.

The battle zones of Mushkoh Valley, Dras, Kaksar and Batalik were largely quiet, but heavy mortar and small arms fire in the province of Jammu damaged three houses, Press Trust of India news agency said.

Indian infantry units along the 110-mile confrontation line reported seeing guerrillas slipping away from their positions.

India agreed Tuesday to halt airstrikes and heavy ground attacks to allow the opposition forces to retreat into Pakistan across the Line of Control, the cease-fire line drawn in 1972.

Pakistan has denied it agreed to a deadline today for the evacuation, a statement that surprised local Indian commanders.

“We will not go by what they say,” said Brig. Ramesh Kakar, commander of operations in the Mushkoh Valley. “Whatsoever is not vacated will be vacated.”

In New Delhi, however, Brijesh Mishra, a top aide to India’s prime minister, told Star TV network that the militants could be given one or two more days to withdraw. “After that, we shall resume our military operations.”

Col. Bikram Singh, an army spokesman, said the deadline could be extended if needed, but only by the Indian political leadership.

“After the deadline, if any Pakistani soldier or guerrilla is seen on our side of the LOC, he will be considered hostile,” he said.

Indian soldiers plan to hold on to the recovered heights through the harsh winters, when up to 10 feet of snow blankets the mountains and icy winds push the temperatures down to minus 60. In past winters, soldiers had abandoned the posts, which the rebels seized early this year.

Meanwhile, Indian troops buried Islamic fighters Thursday on a mountain expanse where 170 men were killed last week in the war’s fiercest battle.