EAST PAKISTAN Bitter border fighting

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32777, 30 November 1971, Page 15

EAST PAKISTAN Bitter border fighting

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

NEW DELHI, November 29.

Bitter fighting raged between Indian and Pakistan forces along the embattled East Pakistan border today, both sides admitting a general intensification of the conflict.

An Indian Government spokesman said that fighting was continuing near the strategic border town of Balurghat where Indian troops knocked out another three Pakistani tanks on Saturday, making a total of 17 in the last week.

He also accused Pakistan of shelling numerous points across the border. Pakistan Radio, in a broadcast monitored in New Delhi, said that India had launched new attacks in the East with two divisions backed by tanks, artillery, and in one offensive by air power. The radio also reported that a general strike was observed in the East Pakistan capital of Dacca to protest against Indian aggression. As the border situation worsened, the Indian Prime Minister (Mrs Indira Gandhi) arrived back in New Delhi after a two-day visit to forward positions on the western border.

The Defence Minister (Mr Jagjivan Ram) made a similar trip to the Eastern frontier and told a meeting of ruling Congress Party members: "I think it is only a matter of days before Bangla Desh becomes free.”

In a further elaboration of what happened in last Sunday’s big battle in the Jessore area where Indian forces knocked out 13 Pakistan tanks, Mr Ram said: “I told my generals to go across to silence the Pakistani guns.” Indian troops are believed to have again crossed the border into East Pakistan on Saturday, in reply to continued shelling of the battered border town of Balurghat, 190 miles north of Calcutta.

The town suffered its fifth successive day of bombard-

ment yesterday when eight 25-pounder shells straddled the market-place, killing four civilians and injuring 14. Total casualties in the five days of shelling of the town are 23 dead and 60 injured.

People have begun streaming out of Balurghat, but local officials said there would be no official evacuation of the town.

During her border tour Mrs Gandhi told a rally in the Rajasthan capital of Jaipur that India could not keep quiet if her security was endangered, and would take all necessary steps to safeguard her interests and ideals.