The UJC statement came after some militant groups hinted that they might consider the Pakistani government's request that they withdraw, if the international community were to take concrete steps to resolve the Kashmir crisis.

The BBC's Islamabad Correspondent, Owen Bennett-Jones, says there is confusion among the militants over the fact that the Pakistani government, apparently with the support of the army, had asked the militants to pull back.

Meanwhile, in Delhi, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee says he is confident that Indian armed forces are heading for victory in their operations against the militants.

On the agenda

The BBC's Owen Bennett-Jones: "A statement appealed to the militants to help solve the problems"

One senior militant leader said his group had occupied the Kargil Heights in order to bring the Kashmir issue onto the international agenda. He said that has now been achieved.

The Pakistani cabinet said in a statement on Saturday that the militant groups had responded "positively" to the government's appeal for them to withdraw.

On Friday, Pakistan's defence committee said it wanted the militants to "provide an opportunity to the international community to play an active role for the realisation of the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri people."

Pakistan under pressure

BBC Delhi Correspondent Daneil Lak: India is pleased international opinion has gone in its favour

Last week, Mr Sharif agreed in talks with US President Bill Clinton that "concrete measures" should be taken to restore the line of control separating Indian and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir.

Mr Sharif is due to address Pakistan's National Assembly on Monday. It is thought he will defend his policy of withdrawal on the basis that it is in the best long term interests of those who want to see an end to the Indian presence in Kashmir.

A supporter of the militants writes a letter of protest in his own blood

He faces criticism from the militants and opposition groups who are unhappy with any deal he may have struck with President Clinton.

In Washington, officials said they are confident that Islamabad wants to resolve the crisis and that Mr Sharif had enough influence over the militants to secure their withdrawal.

Pakistani officials admit privately that should a withdrawal take place, it could take several weeks and may not be complete until the end of August.

'Turning point'

India says its own operations in Kashmir have reached a turning point with Friday's announcement that its forces have flushed out militants from almost the entire Batalik sub-sector in Kargil.

(Click here to see a map of the area)

The BBC's Mike Wooldridge: "There are still intense battles going on"

Prime Minister Vajpayee says that he expects the operation against the militants will soon end in victory.

BBC Delhi Correspondent Daniel Lak says Indian officials are pleased that international opinion on the conflict seems to have gone in their favour, especially pressure from Washington on Mr Sharif to persuade the militants to withdraw.

No let up

On Friday, Indian Army officer Brigadier AK Chopra told journalists that infiltrators were still holding a couple of pockets in the Batalik area but he was confident they would be pushed out within the next 48 hours.

Indian forces are continuing to bombard other miltant positions

Elsewhere in the region, heavy fighting has continued for another day.

Earlier, Indian officials said they had detected no let up in fighting since Mr Sharif's agreement with President Clinton to persuade the militants to pull back from their positions.

And they have rejected any suggestions that their recent gains have been made because Pakistan is living up to a commitment to bring about a withdrawal of forces on Indian territory.

The official figure for the number of Indian soldiers killed since fighting began almost nine weeks ago is 321.

Officers on the ground say more bodies will probably appear as enemy forces vacate the ridges and peaks they have held for at least two months.