Book on Kargil launched

During a meeting between the then Centcom chief General Anthony Zinni and General Musharraf on June 26, 1999, an agreement was reached on the method for withdrawal of Northern Light Infantry (NLI) troops and Mujahideen from Tiger heights, Batalik and Marpola in Kargil sector.
Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) central leader Siddiqul Farooque expressed these views while addressing a press conference here, on Friday held in connection with the launching of his book "Kargil: Adventure or Trap".
He told newsmen he wrote the book in response to General Musharraf's book "In the Line of Fire". He disclosed in his first ever encounter with the press on June 26, 1999 after the launching of Kargil operation, General Musharraf had expressed the hope that Nawaz-Clinton meeting with regard to withdrawal of troops would be held soon.
"Former foreign minister Sartaj Aziz and three services chiefs met Nawaz Sharif in Lahore on June 13, 1999, which was called on the request of General Musharraf," he claimed.
According to him, in the meeting Musharraf admitted the Indian carpet-bombing had confined the defenceless Mujahideen to their bunkers and, thus, Pakistani causalities were increasing and all military posts were falling to Indians.
General Musharraf also stressed the need for finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis, otherwise, all Mujahideen would be killed.
The Chinese leadership had also advised Pakistan to withdraw its troops from Kargil.
Farooque averred General Musharraf's friend, General Anthony Zinni in his book "Battle Ready" brought this fact on record that Nawaz Sharif was reluctant to withdraw troops from Kargil, but General Musharraf forced him to do so.
He claimed India knew about the Kargil operation plan on June 2, 1999, but it kept it a secret with a view to foil the operation, maligning Pakistan army and isolating Pakistan in the international community. India was aiming to portray itself a victim of Pakistani aggression to reap maximum political, diplomatic and economic benefits.