130. Information Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Talbot) to Secretary of State Rusk1
SUBJECT
- Kashmir Ceasefire Line Incident at Kargil
According to reports from United Nations Observer Group (UNMOGIP) sources, on the night of May 16–17 Indian troops attacked and occupied two Pak outposts near Kargil on the Pak side of the Kashmir ceasefire line. On June 6 the Indians reportedly extended their salient by twenty to twenty-five miles to the west of Kargil. The Indians thus far have refused to give up the territory they have occupied. General Nimmo has not yet reported the Indian violation to UN Headquarters in the hope that he will be able to persuade the Indians to withdraw. The Pak posts occupied by the Indians overlooked the strategic Srinagar-to-Leh road, India’s only land link to its forces in Ladakh. The Indians for some time have been concerned over possible Sino-Pak cooperation directed against India in sensitive areas.
The incidents near Kargil are clearly related to the sharp increase in recent months of the number and intensity of incidents all along the ceasefire line; and the escalation of fighting along the ceasefire line is itself a symptom of the very serious deterioration of Indo-Pak relations evidenced by the fighting in the Rann of Kutch and the subsequent forward deployment of the armies of both countries at key points all along the Indo-Pak border.
We are asking New Delhi’s comments on the report from UNMOGIP sources (see Karachi’s 2363 at Tab A)2 that the Indians are using American ammunition against the Paks in Kashmir. USUN has been asked to initiate discussions with Ralph Bunche regarding the capabilities of UNMOGIP to carry out its assigned functions (see Deptel 2896 at Tab B).2