Use of US Boeings to carry Pak troops being probed
WASHINGTON Aug. 20.—The USA is investigating a report that two leased American Boeing 707s have been integrated into Pakistan airline which is ferrying troops to the troubled East Bengal, a State Department spokesman said yesterday, reports Reuter.
The spokesman, Mr. McCloskey said the USA would be opposed to the use of leased American commercial airlines for military purposes by Pakistan.
Mr. McCloskey said he presumed the USA would be making inquiries to the government of Pakistan.
Asked if the USA would object to the use of the leased planes for mulitary purposes. Mr. McCloskey said: “Yes, I suppose we would.”
He emphasized the USA did not know, whether the planes were being diverted for military uses.
A report in the Washington Post said two Boeing 707s were leased to the PIA in June, 1970. The Commerce Department issued a licence for the transaction. It was renewed this June.
The report said PIA jet liners were being used for military purposes but no one was able to say specifically whether the two leased airliners had carried troops.
According to UPI’s Rawalpindi correspondent, war fever has gripped Pakistan. The Government has put into effect civil defence measures similar to those adopted during the 1965 Indo-Pak conflict.
Orders issued yesterday by Mr. Ahmed Sadiq. Deputy Commissioner for Civil Defnce, included the training of volunteers to operate equipment and other services during an emergency.
Magistrates in the cities and towns were ordered to supervise “efforts for revitalisation” of the civil defence organisation.
A 10-hour blackout exercise will be held in the Southern Port City of Karachi on August 26. A similar exercise was held in Peshawar on Monday.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 21.08.1971