PAKISTANI FORCES BEGIN DRIVE

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30739, 1 May 1965, Page 15

PAKISTANI FORCES BEGIN DRIVE

(N.Z.P. A. -Reuter— Copyright) NEW DELHI, April 30.

Pakistani forces have begun a drive to the south-west in the disputed Rann of Kutch after capturing an Indian outpost, an Indian Government spokesman said last night.

At the same time an official Indian spokesman confirmed that discussions to stop the fighting in Rann of Kutch were being carried on through intermediaries.

The Rann of Kutch, a desolate salt flat between India and the Western Pakistani state of Sind, has been the scene of bitter fighting in the last two weeks. In the latest moves the Indian spokesman said the Pakistani forces were advancing in brigade strength but he did not know whether they were using tanks. The Pakistanis had overrun a small outpost, known as Point 84, a mile beyond the previously captured outpost at Biar Bet. The Indians had withdrawn because they were vastly outnumbered. he said. American Tanks The spokesman said Indian troops had been shelling Pakistani forces moving southwest from Biar Bet. He called on America to prevent Pakistan from using in the Kutch American tanks given for defence against Communist attack. “We expect the United States Government to take suitable action,” he said. India claimed to have destroyed or disabled six Pakistani tanks in the fighting at Biar Bet, and to have inflicted 140 ‘casualties earlier this week. The commander of the Pakistani forces claimed today that 350 Indians had been killed since fighting broke out on April 19. He told reporters at a rear

base camp in the Rann of Kutch that his men had held Biar Bet firmly after dislodging the Indians in the bloodiest battle so far. “We gave them hell,” he said. Discussions Held An official Indian Government spokesman, confirming that discussions to stop the fighting were being carried out, declined to give any details. However, he denied any knowledge of reports that India had responded favourably to British proposals for a cease-fire and a withdrawal by both sides. The Prime Minister, Mr Shastri, said earlier yesterday in remarks that India wanted to avoid a major conflagration developing from the border clashes.

But, he said, the Pakistani President, Mohammed Ayub

Khan, must stop forthwith the “arbitrary and irresponsible” Pakistani attempts to change the border by force, taking advantage of the fact it was unmarked, in the Rann of Kutch. British Concern In Karachi, a Foreign Office source said that Pakistan had been approached by “friends” to stop the fighting. He added: “We have always stated that we want to settle

the Issue peacefully and we have intimated our readiness to negotiate on honourable terms.”

Messages from Mr Wilson and the Canadian Prime Minister, Mr Lester Pearson, expressing concern over the hostilities have been sent to President Ayub. The Pakistan Government has intimated to both governments that it wants a peaceful settlement through negotiation and no further deterioration in relations with India.