INDIA-PAKISTAN SITUATION REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00875R001100100147-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 2, 2010
• Sequence Number: 147
• Publication Date: November 27, 1971
• Content Type: IM

 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/12/02 : CIA-RDP85T00875RO01100100147-3
SECRET
CCI No. 2161/71
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE F GENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
27 November 1971
India-Pakistan Situation Report
(As of 1230 EST)
1. Minor skirmishes and artillery exchanges
appear to be continuing at widely scattered mints
along the India-East Pakistani border. The press
reports continued cross-border shelling in t;ie
vicinity of Balurghat, the headquarters town of
West Dinajpur District in West Bengal. Last Thurs-
day, Indian troops launched a "defensive" strike
into East Pakistan in this region. Fighting also
continues around Jessore, and reports' indicate both
sides will continue to struggle for control of
this strategic center. In* the southeast corner of
East Pakistan, clashes persist in the Belonia
salient and near the army str')nghold of Feni.
2. The US consulate in Dacca reports that
tension in Dacca has risen noticeably as a result
of recent Indo-Pakistani border clashes. Two
surprise curfews in sever, days--aimed at keeping
the Mukti Bahini off balance--and repeated nightly
bombings by the guerrillas have reinforced uncer-
tainty among the populace. Widespread susceptibility
to rumors, a decline in the number of people and
vehicles on the streets, and signs of hoarding are
evident.
3. Today, Prime Minister Gandhi flew to the
state of Rajasthan to address the troops and vi
lagers in areas close to the India/West'Pakistan
border. Tomorrow she will travel north to Punjab
State for similar purposes. Next week she is ex-
pected to visit Assam and other areas in the
ea.ste_n front.
SECRET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/12/02 : CIA-RDP85T00875RO01100100147-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/12/02 : CIA-RDP85T00875R001100100147-3
SECRET
6. Last night, a "sp-:?Jiai envoy" from Yahya,
R. T. Roy, met with Ceylon's Prime Minister
Bandaranike to present Yah2a's assessment of the
Indo-Pakistani crisis and po::.ib].y to suggest that
Mrs. Bandaranike might in some way a-sist in easing
the situation. Mrs. Bandaranaike is seeking new
prestige in the international arena and might con-
sider'such a role attractive. Roy represents a
Buddhist minority group in East Pakistan and thus
is well suited to present Pakistan's case to
Buddhist countries. Thailand, Nepal, and Burma
are also on his itinerary.
7. At the UN there are signs of additional
int' cost in t'~e possibility of formal Security
Cou 1.1 consideration of the Indo-Pakistani crisis.
On Friday, Italy joined tha Belgians in efforts to
elicit interest in Security Council involvement.
Paris has also indicated some interest in council
action--a marked change from France's heretofore
reserved attitude towird UN involvement in the
crisis. French ambassadors in Islamabad and New
Delhi'have been asked for their views on a Security
Council. role with the idea of obtaining some sort
of UN presence oii the frontiers.
SECRET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/12/02 : CIA-RDP85T00875R001100100147-3