1971-11-23
Page: 7
UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 22—A Pakistani delegation spokesman said today that 12 Indian divisions were involved in a four‐pronged attack on Pakistani forces last night.
The spokesman, Hamid Jalal, said in an interview here that he had received the information by telephone from Islamabad, the Pakistani capital.
Mr. Jalal said the attacks were staged in the Jessore, Rangpur and Sylhet areas and the Chittagong Hills region, all in East Pakistan.
He said that two of the Indian divisions were formerly deployed on the Indian‐Chinese border, and that the two others were mountain troops from Nagaland.
Mr. Jalal said that Indian infantry was supported by a tank regiment and that 38 battalions of Indian border security forces were also involved in the operation.
Samar Sen, India's chief delegate, denied the attack was of such extent. He said the fighting in East Pakistan was between the Government forces and the East Pakistani guerrillas.
Agha Shari, Pakistan's chief delegate, said he expected instructions soon on whether to ask for a Security Council meeting.