According to the daily, senior Western diplomats estimate that some 500 Pakistani regulars have crossed over to the Indian side along with about 300 Muslim militants who aim to ``liberate'' Kashmir.

They also claim that the Pakistani troops and the militants have entered 10 to 15 miles (16-24 km) in the Drass-Kargil region, across a 20-mile mountainous stretch at altitudes of about 11,000 ft, adding that some positions ``are thought to have been gained behind Indian strongholds''.

The Daily Telegraph quotes a military observer as having said: ``It's a question of taking positions on whatever mountains one can, but in some cases they are now behind the Indians''.

AWestern defence source reportedly told the newspaper: ``It seems the Pakistani Army put together a force of up to 1,000 men. We think they cached food and ammunition behind the Line of Control in early April and a few weeks later pushed forward, only to find the Indians hadn't arrived yet''.