THE STATESMAN, JUNE 19, 1971
PAK ARMY SHELLS PHULBARI OUTPOST:
3 INDIANS HURT
Krishnagar, June 18-Three Indian villagers and a Bangladesh evacuee were injured today in one of the longest shelling by Pakistani troops at the Indian-border outpost of Phulbari, about 90 kilometers from here, report agencies.
The Pakistanis used light machineguns, mortars and 25 pounders in their attack which lasted for over seven hours from 4 this morning.
There was no casualty on the Indian side. The injured were admitted to hospital here. Pakistani shells also landed at Gede, Dahokula and Sikarpur.
The Indian Border Security Force returned the fire at all the places and the exchange was continuing tonight.
A Pakistani observation plane was seen circling over the Kushtia region close to the border, Indian air space, however, was not violated.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh liberation forces who were in control of Koripara outpost in Kushtia sector of south-western Bangladesh which they wrested on June 16 today withdrew from the area this morning towards Tentulbaria as the Pakistanis brought in reinforcements in battalion strength. The Mukti Fouj had taken up fresh defensive positions in Tentulbaria.
Kadipara outpost is opposite to Fulbari (Nadia district of West Bengal).
Our Karimganj correspondent adds: The Mukti Fouj is advancing steadily in Bangladesh opposite Karimganj and sounds of mortars and light machine guns were heard by the people of Karimganj on Wednesday morning.
The Mukti Fouj has blown up Dolney Bridge between Latu and Barlekha.
Shilua tea garden authorities were working as Pak Army agents, so the Mukti Fouj has blown up the factory of the aforesaid tea garden. Two Muslim League leaders were proceeding in a motor car to the Pak Army camp to give this information when a guerilla party blew up the motor car killing both the Leaders.
Muktibahini activities have also been reported from opposite the Sutarkandi sector on the Karimganj border.
On June 15 the Pak Army killed three Hindus and molested two women at Balaut near Karimganj town in Bangladesh.
Tetulia is now under control of liberation forces who are fiercely fighting Pak troops in Pachagarh and Thakurgaon sectors of Dinajpur and inflicting heavy casualties on them, our Raiganj correspondent adds.
Bodies of many Pak troops bearing bullet injuries are floating down river Tangon to Bangshihari of West Dinajpur.
Our Agartala Office adds: In a fierce battle for three continuous days since June 9 at Karerhat in Ramgarh sector Bangladesh forces killed 200 Pak troops according to a delayed report received from across the border. One hundred fifty dead bodies of Pak soldiers were on exhibition on June 11 at Karerhat. On June 12, however, the Bangladesh forces had to retreat from Karerhat when the reinforced Pak Army launched attacks on the former.
Nearly 20,000, men. women and children-mostly Muslims -crossed the border on Wednesday at Mohanpur alone following Pak Army’s indiscriminate shelling throughout the whole night on Tuesday in an area of 20 sq miles in the southernmost part of Sylhet district opposite to Mohanpur and Sidhan.
Streams of evacuees were seen moving in foot towards Agartala in the entire eight mile route from Sidhan to Mohanpur. The evacuees said the shelling was so heavy that about 30 villages had been burnt in one night rendering 50,000 villagers homeless and killing many.
For the first time foreign aid for Bangladesh evacuees sheltered in Tripura were received yesterday. A Canadian Air Force Hercules aircraft delivered 49,000 pounds of Australian aid today at Agartala. The consignment included polythene sheets, tarpaulins, anti-biotic medicines and food-stuffs valued at Rs. eight lakhs. The aircraft has been chartered by the Australian Government to carry aid materials to India and Nepal. Graeme K. E. Noonan, Second Secretary and Consul, Australian High Commission in New Delhi who delivered the aid Tripura Government told Hindustan Standard that for a week from June 19 one aircraft each day will be carrying shelter materials for Bangladesh evacuees direct from Australia to Agartala.