Secret Telegram

November 23, 1971

From: Secretary State Washington DC

To: American Embassy Islamabad

 

Subject: Letter from President Yahya to President Nixon delivered by Pak Embassy on November 23 AM.

 

Mr. President

I am addressing this message to you with deep sense of urgency in view of the grave situation which has arisen in my country as a result of unprovoked and large scale attacks by Indian armed forces into various parts of Pakistan.

 

On November 21 an Indian Army Brigade group supported by armed helicopters ingressed into Chittagong Hill Tracts over­running our border out-posts and ingressing approximately 10 miles in our territory.

 

On the same day, another brigade group of 23rd Indian Division launched an attack in the Belonia Salient of Noakhali district pushing 8 miles deep into Pakistan territory, supported by the rest of the Division.

 

In the Brahmanbaria subdivision also on November 21 attacks were launched by a battalion group each from 57th Division against two of our border posts at Mukandapur and Saldanadi which were over-run.

 

In Sylhet district/Maulvi Bazar subdivision, two battalion groups attacked and over-ran border out-posts at Dhalai, Atheram and Zakiganj. The battalion groups included two com­panies of Gurkhas.

 

On November 21, another attack was launched in Rangpur dis­trict in the Bhurangamari Salient where an Indian Brigade Group penetrated 15 miles into Pakistan territory up to Nag­eshwari.

 

On the same day in Jessore district, a major offensive was launched by a brigade group of 9th Indian Division supported by armor and air cover. The attack was launched opposite Chaugacha and Indian tanks penetrated about 8 miles into Paki­stan territory.

 

The Indian air attack was challenged by Pakistan air force. One Indian aircraft was destroyed and we lost two. Six Indian tanks were destroyed in the engagement and 8 of ours were destroyed.

 

Intermittent shelling of Jessore airfield continues. In Mymens­ingh district repeated attacks on our border out-posts at Karitola have been repulsed.

 

As many as 12 Indian Divisions have been deployed around East Pakistan. In addition there are 38 battalions of the Indian border security force. Second and fifth Indian mountain divi­sions which were previously deployed on the borders with China have also been moved towards East Pakistan. The 8`" Mountain Division (of 6 brigades) has also been moved to East Pakistan borders towards Sylhet from Nagaland where only one brigade is now left.

 

Twelve squadrons of the Indian air force are now placed around East Pakistan. A sizeable Indian naval force comprising aircraft carrier, frigates, landing ships and two submarines is standing by near Vizagapattam in the Bay of Bengal posing an amphibi­ous threat to Chittagong and Chalna ports. The approaches to Chalna Port have been mined by the Indians with the result that two merchant ships chartered for carrying foodgrains and other essential supplies have been damaged. This would seriously dis­rupt food supplies to East Pakistan.

 

Mr. President, as you are aware, Indian armed forces in the last few months have maintained pressure all along our eastern bor­ders. Apart from training, equipping and launching rebels sup­ported by Indian border security force personnel into Pakistan territory, Indian artillery units have been constant(y shelling ar­eas in East Pakistan. But as I have pointed out above, in the last 3 or 4 days the Indian armed forces have turned from localized attacks to open and large scale warfare on so many fronts. They have further escalated the conflict by introducing armor and air force. Pakistan army and air force units in East Pakistan have been under strict order not to cross the frontiers and to exercise utmost restraint in the face of grave provocations. The present situation, however, is such that the offensive launched by Indian armed forces must be met by us with all the force at our command in the defense of our territorial integrity.

 

We were assured from time to time that India did not intend to launch open and large scale warfare against Pakistan. It is now evident that far from exercising restraint India has chosen the path of unabashed and unprovoked aggression. India continues to harp on the theme that the inroads into Pakistan are being made by the so-called "Mukti Bahini" - a rebel force created, maintained and sustained by India. No one will be deceived by the Indian claim which stands disproved by the scale of present operations and by the equipment including armor and air force elements now being used.

 

Mr. President, I have kept in touch with you since the beginning of the crisis in East Pakistan and I have always been deeply ap­preciative and thankful for your understanding and wise coun­sel. In addressing this message I am also conscious of your sin­cere concern for peace in this region and stability in the sub­continent. On my part, I would like to say unhesitatingly that I wish to avoid a senseless and destructive war with India. But the developing situation created by India may lead us to a point of no return. I am sanguine that your personal initiative at the present juncture could still prove decisive in averting a catas­trophe. I shall anxiously await your response.

 

With warm personal regards,

Agha Mohammad Yahya Khan

 

 

 

Source: Bangladesh Liberation War and the Nixon House 1971, Enayetur Rahim and Joyce L. Rahim, Pustaka Dhaka, p – 398 - 400