1971-12-02
Page: 9
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Dec. 1—Pakistan charged today that Indian reconnaissance planes escorted by fighters flew over West Pakistan yesterday, penetrating “many miles” into the Sialkot region adjoining the frontier.
A spokesman here said that there had been other air violations by Indian planes over West Pakistan since the current crisis began Nov. 22, but that yesterday's incident was the most serious.
The Indian planes were identified as two Sukhoi‐7 fighterbombers equipped for photo reconnaissance, escorted by two MIG‐21 interceptors.
The Pakistani spokesman said fighters pursued the Indian planes, which returned to India with no shots fired on either side.
When asked whether Pakistani pilots in West Pakistan are authorized to fire on intruding Indian aircraft, the spokesman declined to reply. A number of air clashes have occurred over East Pakistan, but both sides have so far avoided any kind of fighting in West Pakistan.