Kashmir Battle May Be Over as Troops Pull Out

KARGIL, India — India claimed its two-month war against Islamic fighters in the divided Kashmir region was nearly over Friday after its military reported hundreds of guerrillas returning to Pakistani-held territory.

Meanwhile, for the first time since fighting broke out, Pakistan’s army chief admitted his troops crossed the cease-fire line into Indian-controlled Kashmir.

At Pakistan’s request, New Delhi agreed to give the militants until this morning to pull out, army spokesman Col. Bikram Singh said.

Pakistani Brig. Rashid Quereshi had said the disengagement would take a few more days.

Rebels were seen trudging with their belongings toward the Pakistani side of a cease-fire line that divides Kashmir. The showdown with Indian troops over the disputed province has left at least 1,100 dead on both sides.

In Kargil, where Pakistani shells first landed in early May when the conflict began, a senior military intelligence officer said: “It’s over. They have withdrawn in most areas and are withdrawing in the ones left.”

Pakistan’s army chief, Gen. Parvez Musharraf, admitted Friday that his troops had crossed into Indian-controlled Kashmir.

In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corp., Musharraf said Pakistani soldiers crossed over during “aggressive patrolling” that he said was aimed at preventing an Indian attack on Pakistan.