LANDING OF TROOPS NEAR JUNAGADH

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25308, 7 October 1947, Page 7

LANDING OF TROOPS NEAR JUNAGADH

“Token Force” of Indians

STATE’S ACCESSION TO PAKISTAN DISPUTED

(N.Z. Press Association-*-Copyxight) (Rec 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. &

“Indian naval units, supported by aircraft, landed troops and tanks at Porabandar. on the Kathiawar Peninsula,” says the New Delhi correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” “The Porabandar Peninsula adjoins the independent State of Junagadh, surrounded by Dominion of India territory, which has announced itq intention of joining Pakistan. An official Indian Government communique has stated that Junagadh’s accession to Pakistan cannot be accepted.

“An official communique describes the landing force a* a token force and the landing as an opportunity for training in combined operations and inter-service co-operation. It is unlikely that this will be the view of the Pakistan Government or of the Moslem ruler of Junagadh State (Sir Mahabat Khan Rasul Khanji), who has a small State Army which is believed to have been recently enlarged. | “The Indian communique added that armed forces belonging to the States acceding to India would be used to guard their frontiers with Junagadh.”

Routers New Delhi correspondent says: “The Indian Government has suggested a plebiscite on the dispute over the accession of Junagadh to Pakistan. The Moslem Nawab of the State rules 800,000 people, 80 per cent of whom are Hindu*. India has invited Pakistan to comply with the suggestion of a plebiscite.”

The British United Press correspondent says: “The amphibious operation has increased the danger of an armed clash between India and Pakistan. The Indian troops have been ordered not to enter Junagadh territory, but their presence effectively cuts off all routes to Pakistan except by sea, and isolates the State from the rest of India.”