Pakistani foreign minister Sartaj Aziz told reporters here that the directors general of military operations (DGMOs) of the two countries met on Sunday at Attari near Wagah border and "agreed on modalities for de-escalation including cessation of ground and air operation to facilitate the disengagement" of "Mujahideens".

Pakistani army spokesman Brig Rashid Qureshi, who was also present at the press breifing, said: "The withdrawal has begun following an understanding between Indian and Pakistani armies to that effect."

The disengagement from Kaksar sector began on Saturday and was proceeding "satisfactorily" while the process would start in Mashkoh sector on Sunday night, he said.

"Gradually the disengagement will be completed in theentire area," Aziz said. India's national security advisor Brajesh Mishra earlier said in New Delhi that the Government "has evidence" of withdrawal of Pakistani forces from Kaksar and Mushkoh sub-sectors of Kargil region and the army will verify it.

Brig Qureshi said: "Since Saturday, a ceasefire came into effect in Kaksar sector to allow disengagement by Mujahideen. There has been no problem as the Indians held back fire." Asked if the "Mujahideens" were returning to the Pakistani side of the Line of Control (LoC), he replied, "To the best of my knowledge, no."