PAKISTAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00875R001100100037-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 14, 2008
• Sequence Number: 37
• Publication Date: March 28, 1971
• Content Type: IM

Approved For Release 2008/02/14: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01100100037-5
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OCI No. 1531/71
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
28 March 1971
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
PAKISTAN
(Situation as of 1200 EST)
1. The clandestine radio supposedly operated
by Mujib's supporters in East Pakistan claims that
a provisional government has been formed for Bangla
Desh and is appealing to other countries to extend
immediate recognition, A Major Zia Khan, identi-
fied yesterday as the head of the "liberation army,"
was designated temporary head of the new government.
Although the radio claimed that Mujib was alive and
present at "revolutionary headquarters," more con-
clusive evidence indicates that he was arrested the
night of 25-26 March. Mujib's
oldest son and a daughter were killed in firing at
Mujib's residence that night. Radio Pakistan has
denied reports that Mujib's supporters have taken
control of Comilla, Jessore, and Chittagong, and
that martial law administrator Tikka Khan was
wounded on 27 March. The Pakistan Government in
Islamabad continues to insist that the situation
in East Pakistan is rapidly returning to normal,
while the clandestine radio reports that fighting
continues and seeks to rally Mujib's followers.
2. T1S officials in Dacca report mounting evi-
dence that the martial law authorities are conduct-
ing a virtual reign cf terror in the city. The army
appears to be seeking out and mercillessly eliminat-
ing leaders, associates, and supporters of Mujibur
Rahman's Awami League, plus student leaders, uni-
versity professors, and most of East Pakistan's
elected members of the national constituent assembly.
State Dept. review
completed
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Meanwhile, with the support of the military, non-
Bengali Muslims in Dacca are systematically attack-
ing the quarters of the city inhabited by the poor
and murdering Bengalis and Hindus.
3. The curfew, which was to have been imposed
at noon Dacca time on 28 March, was later lifted at
1700 Dacca time. There is a continuous flow of
people out of the city, but the army has set up
checkpoints on all roads leading out of Dacca to
prevent the escape of well-known figures or any-
one marked for elimination. An effort is underway
by the military to locate and freeze all Awami
League funds. The consul general reports that
there was no resistance to the military in Dacca
on 28 March.
4. The West Pakistani press has been very cri-
tical of BBC and VOA for replaying news reports or-
iginating with the clandestine "Voice of Bangla Desh"
radio. Rumors are circulating in West Pakistan
charging "involvement by outside powers" in the
events in East Pakistan. On 27 March, the Govern-
ment of Pakistan protested to the Indian high com-
missioner "deliberate and blatant Indian interfer-
ence in Pakistan's internal affairs." Meanwhile,
the press in West Pakistan has carried charges
that the Indians have set up a clandestine radio
on a ship at the mouth of the Hoogly River near
Calcutta and have broadcast "concocted" stories
about the situation in East Pakistan.
that no country would intervene in the situation in
5. Indian Foreign Secretary Kdul told US of-
ficials in New Delhi on 27 March that the Government
of India expected a large influx of refugees from
East Pakistan and asked if the US and other jountries
could help in relief efforts. He expressed the hope
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6. Pakistan's deputy chief of mission in Wash-
ington, a Bengali, told US officials on 27 March
that Bengali personnel at Pakistani embassies may
withdraw from foreign missions around the world and
attempt to act as representatives of Bangla tesh.
He said they would try to coordinate their moves
as well as possible with one another.
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