পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (সপ্তম খণ্ড).pdf/৩৬৯

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বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র : সপ্তম খণ্ড
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over-flights of Pakistani civil aircraft across the Indian territory between West and East Pakistan.

 It was about this time (February 1971) that a sizeable strength of the Indian Army was concentrated in the province of West Bengal ostensible for internal security duties in connection with the elections. Instead of normalizing the position after the elections were over; additional army formations were moved by India towards the East Pakistan borders in the latter half of March 1971, supported by mountain and Para brigades, fighter bombers and air transport units.

 Simultaneously, in order to support anti-state elements in East Pakistan, Indian troops in civilian clothes were moved closer to the East Pakistan frontiers from many directions. Jet fighters and transport aircraft were moved to airfields in the border areas and six of these nearest to West Pakistan were put on war alert. Not content with massing a force of over five divisions in West Bengal, the India authorities also moved additional battalions of the Border Security Force besides those already deployed around East Pakistan, thus concentrating about twenty five battalions in the border areas. To enable these battalions to infiltrate into East Pakistan to assist the rebels and secessionist elements, BSF markings had been removed and jeeps and other vehicles had been re-painted in civilian colors. Later, additional Border Security troops were flown from Delhi all BSF courses were cancelled, and the leave of police personnel was held in abeyance.

 To make a stronger impact of their action in canceling over-flights of all Pakistani aircrafts over Indian Territory, Indian adventurism extended its tentacles to the high seas also in their effort to interrupt transportation and supplies to East Pakistan. On 2 April 71, Indian warships harassed Pakistani vessel Ocean Endurance. They encountered it 70 miles west of the Indian naval base of Dwarka. The vessel had to return to Karachi to avoid its pursuers. Three days later, they also harassed the Safina-i-Arab which was heading for Chittagong. A new unit of ground-to air missiles operating on India's southern tip began practice firing to as far as 123 miles from the Indian coast, thus forcing Pakistan's civilian aircraft to fly even further south.

 The Indian Air Force, too, showed signs of definite activity indicating preparations for possible operations. Besides Hunter fighters and additional transport aircraft deployed on the eastern side of East Pakistan operational bases of the Indian Air Force along the western ad northern borders of East Pakistan were put on a higher state of combat readiness. Some maritime 'recce' aircraft were positioned at Barrackpore (near Calcutta) for surveillance of Pakistan's ship movements in the Bay of Bengal. Extensive photo 'recce' was carried out in border areas of East Pakistan.

Infiltration of BSF Personnel into East Pakistan

 With the active backing of the Indian Army, BSF personnel started making frantic efforts to infiltrate into East Pakistan. To facilitate their operations, improvement of communication and transportation system leading into East Pakistan received the attention of the Indian authorities. They also started sending arms and ammunition by