Guerilla action escalated in Kushtia sector
KRISHNAGAR, JULY 12 – Mukti Fouj guerillas, stepping up their commando activitites in the whole of Meharpur subdivision of Kusthia district for the last few days, have by now killed almost a platoon of Pakistani troops and struck terror in the rank and file of the Army there, reports PTI.
Very reliable reports from across the border said that the liberation fighters let loose a fusillade of grenades on Meherpur town itself this morning and practically smashed the telephone exchange building there killing an unspecified number of “enemy soldiers”.
The guerillas supported the grenade offensive with intensive firings from rifles on the Pak troops on security duty in and around the telephone exchange.
Earlier, in a lighting grenade attack the Mukti Fouj substantially damaged the bungalow of the sub-divisional officer last night and killed three Army guards.
In a similar action, the liberation fighters killed two armed sentries at Taherpur police station premises last night. The police station building was also left badly damaged.
Mukti Fouj attacked a Pakistani Army position at Sahebnagar with mortar and rifles and inflicted heavy casualties on them. In a surprise attack on the Pakistani Army Fouj killed at least 18 enemy soldiers.
Guerilla operations in Barisal and other coastal regions have forced the Pakistan Army to resume patrolling by boats.
In Rangpur sector, the freedom fighters have disrupted road communications in Chilaghati area by destroying a bridge. They also fired at an Army position in this area and in the neighborhood of Bhurungamari.
This was followed by an attack on an Army contingent in Patnitala area. The guerrillas destroyed a Government paddy godown in Rangpur a few days ago and took into custody two laborers who were collaborating with the Army.
Meanwhile desertions have been reported from Baluch and Pathan units stationed in the eastern region. The latest was a batch of seven Pathan and Baluch troops who deserted their units in Comilla district.
Reports said these troops had expressed their horror at the murderous activities of the West Pakistani Punjab officers and men. They refused to be a party to the killing of unarmed civilians.
The West Pakistani authorities are getting frustrated following exposure of the misdeeds of their Army in Bangladesh by foreign delegations and correspondents.
According to reports reaching Bangladesh Government sources, as most of the delegations and correspondents.
According to reports reaching Bangladesh Government sources, as most of the delegations and correspondents have exposed the continuing programme of ruthless suppression and colonization, the marital law regime has now decide that henceforth they will themselves pick and choose such delegations to be invited to Bangladesh so that they would comment favorably on the activities of the West Pakistani Army.
The Pakistani authorities also propose to handle foreign journalists firmly and to keep them away from certain places.
Our Correspondent at Jammu writes : Pakistan has opened conscription centers in Bagh Palandri, Rawalkot and Hajira in occupied Kashmir, These, apparently, have been designed for the forcible recruitment of the Sudhans, a warrior class which participated in the World Wars.
The Sudhans are said to be resisting conscription because their leader, Ibrahim Khan, opposes the Pak military junta. The situation may take a serious turn if the Pak Army starts atrocities on the Sudhans.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Government has directed the people in the occupied zones of the country not to purchase any defense saving certificate, national investment trust certificate, prize bond, share and all types of securities issued by the Pakistani Government or any business concern.
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 13.07.1971