DACCA: East Pakistan Governor and Martial Law Administrator, Zone ‘B’, Lt-Gen Tikka Khan today [April 18] appealed to the well wishers of the nation in East Wing to come forward, join others and do their duty in repairing the damages done to the nation. In a speech broadcast over Radio Pakistan tonight, he said all those who wish Pakistan well need have no fears in performing their duty. Gen. Tikka Khan told the people … the Armed Forces and other law and order forces were determined to destroy infiltrators, miscreants and anti-social elements.

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies in Dacca,] The Pakistan Troops secured Brahmanbaria and Akhaura in Comilla sector and Meherpur in the Kushtia region in East Pakistan. The troops entered Brahmanbaria without meeting any resistance. This disproves the Indian claim that Brahmanbaria is the stronghold of anti-State elements. The absence of any resistance in Chuadanga ... also confirmed that New Delhi Radio had all along been concocting stories about the strength of anti-State elements in these places. ...It is not known that Indian infiltrators had drained out large quantities of food stocks from Dinajpur before Pakistan troops reached there.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2021