Soviet move reported to head off Indian war
Teheran, Oct 7.—The Soviet Union may be attempting to mediate between India and Pakistan over the problem of East Pakistan, usually well informed sources said here today.

The sources noted that President Nikolai Podgorny met both President Giri of India and President Yahya Khan of Pakistan when they were in Persepolis celebrating the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian empire.

They said the Soviet leader was believed to have made several proposals aimed at initiating talks between Delhi and Islamabad.

Mr Podgornys hour-long meeting with President Giri was disclosed yesterday and was considered here to be normal in view of the new friendship treaty between the two countries.

But the Soviet leaders' two-hour meeting with President Yahya Khan was only reported by Pakistan radio today. It is considered here to be much more noteworthy in view of Pakistan’s closeness to China and Peking’s outright support for Pakistan against India in the present situation.—Reuter.

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Peter Hazelhurst writes from Delhi: With the Indian and Pakistan armies poised on eastern and western border fronts at full strength. Mr Jagjivan Ram, India's Minister for Defence, announced today that if a war was thrust on India she will not withdraw from Pakistan territory which would be occupied by the Indian Army.

He also declared that India will not withdraw her troops from the borders until the issue of East Pakistan was resolved.

Mr Ram. who was addressing a political conference at Kapurthala
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Indian Army is placed on full alert

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in the Punjab today, hinted that war 'was imminent and warned Pakistan: "It' war is thrust on us by the Pakistan military junta our forces will march forward and occupy their cities and this time we will not withdraw from the occupied territory come what may.

Earlier this week President Yahya Khan also warned his country that war was imminent.

The Indian Army, which has apparency been deployed at full strength in Kashmir and along the borders of West and East Pakistan. was placed on full alert over the weekend.

Delhi. Oct 17.- Pakistan troops opened unprovoked fire on Indian territory near Shikarpur in Nadia district, West Bengal, today, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported tonight.