heaviest weapons in the around are light and medium mortars and not too many of them. These arms are of varying makes and age some captured from the Pakistani troops and some-though far from enough, the Bengalis complain-provided by the Indians.
Yet with all these problems the Mukti Bahini has effectively harassed the Pakistani Army pinned it down in some areas and stretched its lines thin all over East Pakistan. Reliable reports indicate that Pakistani casualties are increasing. The guerrillas also continue to assassinate members of the local “peace committees,” made up of non- Bengalis and other collaborators assigned to carry out administration of areas under army occupation. No figures are available on guerrilla casualties, hut they are believed to be low. However, with every guerrilla raid, the army burns hamlets and kills villagers in reprisal.
The guerrillas' greatest success has been their ability to reduce the army's mobility by keeping East Pakistan's communications system in chaos-blowing up bridges, roads and rail lines. Guerrilla frogmen have also damaged or sunk at least a dozen sea-going ships- including several foreign ones -at anchor in harbors. Seven British shipping lines have suspended all traffic to East Pakistan.
Although the Mukti Bahini is much better coordinated than it was six months ago, it is not a monolithic fighting force. Splinter groups have started operations on their own, including some pro-Peking Communists. One group, led by nonCommunist militant students from Dacca, is said to have established a base in the Indian border slate of Tripura with a band of 1,500 men. Still, there is no sign at this point either of any serious division within the Bangladesh movement or of the movement swinging to the left.
With the monsoon rains over, it is expected that both the Mukti Bahini and the Pakistani troops will step up their activities in East Pakistan. Heavily, guarded freight trains have been rail-into-Calcutta, carrying military supplies reportedly destined for the Mukti Bahini. This seems to indicate that the Indian Government has agreed to increase in arms aid to the guerrillas.
But Mukti Bahini commanders, straining at the bite continue to press for even more- Indian logistic support and air cover for a frontal offensive to seize a sizable piece of East Pakistan, where the Bangladesh Government, now based in Calcutta, could be established. The Indians, have, so far balked, because they feel this would immediately provoke a general war with Pakistan. The Bangladesh leaders argue that for all the effectiveness of guerrilla warfare, its hit-and-run nature will eventually sap the independence movement of popular support because of the Pakistani reprisals against the civilian population.
“We will lose the sympathy of many villagers,” said one high-Bengali officer. “They tell us 'if you want our support you must come in full force and stay and protect us.”
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