TRARKHAL: A communique issued tonight [Oct 12] by the Azad Government says: “Azad Forces continue to press the enemy in Rajauri sector on Lunbagla Kattarmal feature. In a desperate bid to retrieve their lost position, the enemy launched an attack which was repulsed by our forces. In a counter attack our troops forced the enemy to withdraw leaving behind over 20 dead… . The enemy ineffectively shelled and bombed our position in Poonch sector.

“In Kamri sector, Laddakh zone, an enemy attack supported by two aircraft and artillery was repulsed with losses to enemy. Our own casualties were nil.” … “In Zojilla sector an Azad fighting patrol wiped out an enemy machine gun post. — News agencies

[Meanwhile, according to the staff correspondent reporting from Karachi,] Heavy smuggling of foodgrains to the Indian Union by unscrupulous profit-mongers in Sind is fast bringing about famine conditions in Tharparkar district. It is not unusual to come across whole families going without food for days or subsisting on cattle fodder… . … One whole family threw themselves into a well after starving for six days.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2023