U.S. National Archives
1971-02-08
Letter From the Pakistani Ambassador (Hilaly) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, February 8, 1971
By Agha Hilaly
Page: 0
Foreign Relations of the United States
Volume E7
Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL INDIA–PAK. No classification marking. The two men who hijacked the plane were members of the National Liberation Front for Jammu and Kashmir. They threatened to blow up the plane unless India released 30 political prisoners held in Kashmir. (Telegram 130 from Lahore, February 1; ibid., AV 12 INDIA) India subsequently demanded that Pakistan pay compensation for the loss of the plane, extradite the hijackers to India, and accept responsibility for the incident. (Aide-mémoire delivered to the Department of State by the Pakistani Embassy, February 12; ibid., POL INDIA–PAK) On February 24 the Embassy in New Delhi reported troop movements on both sides of the border between India and West Pakistan growing out of the hijacking incident. (Telegram 2759 from New Delhi; ibid., AV 12 INDIA) Additional documentation on the incident is ibid.
Washington, February 8, 1971
February 8, 1971
Dear Mr. Secretary,
I have received the following message from my President for immediate communication to President Nixon:
MESSAGE BEGINS:
Your Excellency,
I must tell you of my serious concern over the turn of events which has resulted in a rapid escalation of tension in the Indo-Pakistan sub-continent. This has been brought about by what appears to US to be India’s deliberate over reaction to an incident for which Pakistan could not be held responsible.
Two young men from Indian occupied Kashmir hijacked an Indian plane flying from Srinagar to Jammu on 30th January and landed at Lahore. My Government took prompt steps to fulfil its obligations under international conventions and arranged repatriation of passengers and crew of the hijacked plane to India at the earliest opportunity. We also employed every means to have the plane released from the hijackers. Despite our sustained efforts, this object could not be achieved and the hijackers destroyed the plane on 2nd February.
Although the hijacking was the result of repressive measures adopted by the Government of India in occupied Kashmir, my Government deplored the action of the hijackers.
Instead of appreciating our helpful attitude, the Government of India for its own reasons used the incident to intensify tension between the two countries. Highly provocative statements have been made by responsible Indian leaders, including the Prime Minister, blaming Pakistan for the incident and threatening retaliatory action. The Indian authorities have also been allowing massive and violent demonstrations against the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi which has resulted in damage to property and injuries to personnel of the High Commission.
On 4th February the Indian Government took the extraordinary step of banning flights of all Pakistani aircraft over Indian territory. By taking this arbitrary measure of stopping direct flights between the two wings of Pakistan, India has committed a serious breach of its international and bilateral commitments which has resulted in heightening tensions. A situation has thus been created that could lead to developments which we in Pakistan very much wish to avoid.
Considering the degree of interest which your Government has taken in preservation of peace and tranquility in the sub-continent, I felt you would be interested in using your good offices with the Government of India for preventing a further deterioration of the situation and for bringing it back to normal. I and my Government would highly appreciate any effort that Your Excellency might make in this direction.
With kind regards.
Agha Mohammad Yahya Khan. MESSAGE ENDS.
I will be grateful if you could kindly transmit it to its high destination.
With my best personal regards.
Yours sincerely,
(A. Hilaly)