Pak gunboat with 50 reach Burmese waters
RANGOON. DEC. 21— A Pakistani gunboat with 50 crew abroad has reached Burmese waters near the north-western port of Akyab after fleeing across the Bay of Bengal from Chittagong, according to informed sources here, reports Reuter.
The sources said the gunboat developed engine trouble on Saturday near the Oyster Lighthouse close to Akyab, about 128 km. south of the Bangladesh border.
Burmese boats picked up 29 of the crew and brought on board and would be picked up later.
About 174 other Pakistanis including some government officials, were staying in Akyab after being brought to the port by seven helicopters and seven other planes between December 5 and December 16, the sources said.
Two Pakistan Air force helicopters carrying 23 refugees were also reported to have landed near the Burmese town of Maungdaw, just south of Bangladesh border, after running out of fuel.
Some 85 Pakistani soldiers had also reached the town while some other were making their way towards the Burmese coast in small boats, the sources said.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 22.12.1971