1971-11-12
By Associated Press
Page: 4
NEW DELHI, Nov. 11 (AP) — An Indian Government spokesman today denied reports by Pakistan of a major Indian offensive in the Belonia area of East Pakistan. He said that the fight was between Pakistani troops and East Pakistani forces, not Indian Army battalions.
He also denied that Indian troops had ever crossed the border, and countered with charge that “four Pakistani jet aircraft have been strafing civilian areas near Belonia” in India's Tripura State.
The spokesman said Pakistani troops had been firing artillery and mortar barrages into other civilian sections of Tripura as well as in West Bengal.
He added that three intrusions had been made yesterday by Pakistani patrols in Kashmir, on the border of West Pakistan. West Pakistan holds part of the disputed state.
In Dacca, capital of East Pakistan, at least two persons were killed and 50 injured today when a bomb exploded in a shopping center. Witnesses said the bomb was thrown at an official car.