164. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in India1
Washington, August 8, 1965, 8:33
p.m.
177. Eyes only for the Ambassador from the Secretary. I have just been informed by UK Ambassador that Indian Government has reported to UK, US and Soviet Union that large-scale Pakistani infiltrations under way in Kashmir and that if this is not stopped GOI must take strong countermeasures. Please let us have your assessment most urgently.2
Rusk
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 32–1 INDIA–PAK. Secret; Flash; Exdis. Drafted and approved by Rusk.↩
- Bowles responded that C.S. Jha had told him and British High Commissioner Freeman on August 8 that Pakistani penetrations of Indian territory had started on August 5 and involved at least 4 groups of 50–60 men who had infiltrated Indian territory as much as 30 miles. According to Jha, captured infiltrators admitted to being members of a paramilitary organization trained by the Pakistani army. Jha stated that his government would take whatever measures were necessary to stop such infiltration, and asked the U.S. and British Governments to bring pressure to bear on Pakistan to halt the provocation. Bowles felt that if the situation was as Jha represented it could lead to a major reaction against Pakistan in India. (Telegram 225 from New Delhi, August 9; ibid.)↩