PANJIM: A small group of raiders attacked a military post at Margoa in western Goa early yesterday, according to an official announcement. There was some firing and hand-grenades were thrown, but no casualties were reported. Another report quoting Radio Goa said that the Portuguese had captured a Goa national for attempting, with seven others, to blow up the Portuguese outpost at Bali Kukalli in southern Goa. At least five unidentified jet aircraft flew over Goa yesterday. An official spokesmen said they were presumed to be Indian.

The Portuguese government in Goa yesterday accused India of “at least ten” air space violations during the last one week. Indian troops presently deployed along the Goa border are being alerted for action, if it becomes necessary, according to reports reaching Bombay from Belgaum. This follows reports that Portugal had rejected an offer by Brazil to mediate with India on the condition that the Portuguese quit Goa.

Indian Army Chief of Staff General P.N. Thapar and Air Force chief Air Marshal A.M. Engineer reached Belgaum yesterday. General Officer Commanding of the Southern Command General Choudhury, who is already in Belgaum, flew in a helicopter yesterday over the Vengurla sector of the West Coast near Goa.

The Portuguese government claimed last night that Goanese leaders in India, including Peter Alvares, Loundo Gaintando, Gore and Vamona, met at Belgaum “to plan out entry of Satyagrahis in Goa”.

Two of the three principal land routes from India to the Portuguese colony were closed for public this week to facilitate the movement of troops on the Goa border. The Indian Government has initiated certain preparatory administrative arrangements to take over the civil administration of Goa, Daman and Dui under central control after the occupation of these colonies.

A report said that the Indian Government has asked the Maharashtra Government to keep a senior civil servant in readiness to take over Goa and other Portuguese colonies as the Chief Commissioner. — Agencies