On the timing and seriousness of the whole operation:

MAY 17, to news agencies: Infiltrators in the Kargil sector of Jammu & Kashmir will be flushed out within 48 hours. The Pakistani infiltrators are entering the Indian territory now as the snow has melted in the Kargil and Drass sectors.

MAY 20, to Zee TV's Ru-ba-ru: We are taking all precautions and the situation is well under control.

MAY 30, to news agencies in Kargil: Air strikes to flush out militants will continue for some time.

On Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's role in theinfiltration:

MAY 28, after the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting: The Nawaz Sharif Government did not have a major role in the infiltration. The ISI which we know initiates such activities has not played any role.

JUNE 1, on Star TV: (To a question that how is it possible that Nawaz Sharif did not know what the Army was doing) You are speaking from conjecture. I am speaking on the basis of certain information.

JUNE 3, to All India Radio: There is no question of my exonerating the ISI for anything. As far as the present hostilities are concerned, I did make a point that these hostilities were conceived, planned and executed by the Army. Naturally, when the Army gets into action mode, the whole government is involved and Nawaz Sharif is not free from it.

(On May 26, his colleague, Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani had said to agencies: ``Infiltration by militants in Kargil appears to have Islamabad's endorsement because the presence of regular Pakistani troops along withAfghan mercenaries has been proved.'')

(Even earlier, on May 19, Lt. Gen Krishan Pal, Commander of the Army's 15 Corps, had said: ``This infiltration is fully backed by the Pakistan Army and the ISI.'')

On whether the Government knew of the infiltrators:

MAY 29, to agencies: There has been no intelligence failure. All intelligence agencies have been working in unison. But we really do not know how much time it took them (to build bunkers). We have no information.

(Just five days earlier on May 24, National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra had said: ``Obviously preparation for this kind of infiltration was going on even when the Lahore Declaration was signed. It takes months to train and acclimatise people to 16,000 feet. Either the Government of Pakistan knew about these preparations or it wasn't aware of them. I cannot make up my mind.'')

On whether Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja was shot by the Pakistanis:

MAY 29, to agencies: It is speculation to say that his body borebullet marks on the forehead.

(The same day, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Malik said: ``We appreciate the gesture of the body being returned but at the same time we are sorry to find out that the body had bullet wounds.'')

On the use of nuclear weapons by Pakistan:

MAY 31, to agencies: I am sure Pakistani generals will not resort to the use of nuclear weapons against India because they would liquidate their own country.

(The same day, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Shamshad Ahmed said to Jang: ``We will not hesitate to use any weapon in our arsenal as our security is more dear to us than the advice of international leaders which is one-sided.'')

On safe passage to infiltrators:

JUNE 1, to agencies: One can show the infiltrators safe passage. That is a matter which can be considered.

JUNE 3, to All India Radio: I have not offered safe passage to anybody, nobody has asked for safe passage. Therefore the whole debate on the issue is uncalled for.

(Fernandes' June 1statement was echoed by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, who said to agencies: ``If the infiltrators ask for safe passage to withdraw, the matter will be considered.'')