LAHORE, Sept 6: Brig Inamul Haq (retired) says he has grossly been misquoted in a news report “generals committed blunders in 1965 war”, which appeared in Dawn on Sept 6.

He said at a discussion at the Press Institute of Pakistan on Sept 5, he had said that during the ‘65 war, as a Major he was performing the duties of General Staff Office Grade-2 (operations) at the Divisional Headquarters and that Maj-Gen Sarfraz was General Officer commanding. In no way a Major could be “incharge of the army operation at the Lahore Sector,” as reported.

“I never said that Wagah & Burki border had been deliberately kept without adequate army strength and necessary military equipment.

“I did not say that 15 to 20 per cent of the troops who had gone on leave on routine were not summoned and their leaves were not cancelled.

“Recalling a brief exchange of conversation between the then GOC and Corps Commander at Kharian on Aug 31, 1965, I informed the house that the Corps Commander did not agree with the GOC that the Forward Defensive Positions be occupied and mines laid as it might provoke Indians. I said that the perception that India will not cross International Border despite the war in Kashmir was not correct and it was a failure of higher direction of war. I also said that as intelligence picture was not clear about the imminent danger of war, troops were allowed to proceed on leave on routine. It is a well-known fact that on declaration of emergency or war troops on leave automatically and immediately join their units.”