DACCA: India, without a formal declaration of war, has launched an all-out offensive against East Pakistan. The offensive has followed months of pinprick attacks, minor and major skirmishes and arduous build-up of over 12 Indian infantry divisions all around East Pakistan.

The Indians have been able to make some dents across international borders into our territory, because no one expected that they would throw all international conventions to the winds and would stoop down to launching an all-out offensive. The Indian Army has concentrated all its might on the Jessore sector, where the attack has been launched by the 9th Indian Infantry Division, the 4th Indian Mountain Division and two Indian Tank regiments.

Fierce fighting continued in Jessore… . The Indian Army suffered heavy casualties, but due to intense and heavy shelling, it was able to retrieve the wounded and most of the dead bodies. … The sting from the Indian armour onslaught was taken out by the Pakistani troops that damaged 18 Indian tanks. … Indian Gnats and MIGs … penetrated deep inside the Pakistan territory and strafed the civilian population of three villages... . The IAF strafing killed 79 civilians and injured 130. … — News Agencies

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2021