RAWALPINDI: The investigations conducted by the Army and Air Force authorities since the announcement on March 30 of the arrest of certain retired and serving officers have conclusively established that they were engaged in a conspiracy to subvert the discipline and loyalty of the personnel of Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force, according to a ISPR Press release.

It will be recalled that Brig (retired) F.B. Ali and Colonel (retired) Abdul Aleem Afridi were retired from the Army in August last year for their involvement in the abortive coup of December 1971, just before General Yahya Khan quit office. Since then, exploiting their past contacts in the Armed Forces, they were able to enlist the support of a group of officers to further their designs. As a result of detailed investigations … further arrests have been made. It is proposed shortly to set up courts-martial to try the accused under the Army Act and the Air Force Act. — News agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from Beirut,] Lebanese troops and Palestinian guerrillas clashed in the streets of Beirut today [May 2] in the worst fighting between them since extensive clashes in 1969. First reports said 10 soldiers were killed, and more than 35 wounded.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2023