DACCA: Two companies of the Indian Border Security Force operating well within Pakistan territory were wiped out by the Pakistan Army ... yesterday [April 10] in the Benapole area of Jessore district. It was officially stated ... that the two companies formed part of infiltrators crossing into East Pakistan from across the Indian border. ...[T]wo men of the Indian Border Security Force were captured alive in yesterday’s action in Benapole. ...[T]he two soldiers of the Indian Border Security Force have disclosed that their battalion, 18 BSP, was moved from Rajasthan to Jodhpur on March 27 from where it was flown to Calcutta in the next two days. — Agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies in Islamabad,] Mian Mumtaz Mohammad Daultana, President of the Council Muslim League, yesterday [April 10] described as “an unpatriotic act” the demand by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, chief of the outlawed Awami League, about the meeting of the National Assembly into two committees. Addressing a Press conference at the residence of Mr G.A. Madani ... he referred to his having met Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at his Dacca residence ... and Sheikh Mujib said these words: “Would it not be worthwhile if the National Assembly meet separately?”

[Agencies add,] China ... accused India of interfering in Pakistan’s internal affairs and said preparations had been made in Delhi for direct armed intervention. …

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2021