Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–7, Documents on South Asia, 1969–1972

167. Memorandum for the Record¹ ²

Washington, December 9, 1971, 6:59 a.m.

Subject:

• Alleged US Military Assistance to Pakistan

1. The US Ambassador to India reports that on 8 December General Manokshaw, the Indian Chief of Staff, advised the US Defense Attache that a US Air Force C–141 aircraft had landed at Karachi, Pakistan at 290500Z November 1971 and had offloaded a number of crates onto Pakistani military vehicles. General Manokshaw commented that the cargo was “obviously a rush drop, bringing military equipment urgently required by Pakistani forces.” He went on to describe the source of his information as unimpeachable.

2. The US Ambassador has requested a complete report on General Manokshaw’s allegation, and guidance on what information may be furnished him in reply.

3. Preliminary information from the Military Airlift Command confirms that one US Air Force C–141 aircraft did arrive at Karachi on that date. The aircraft which was making the normal east-bound Embassy flight arrived in Karachi at 290930Z November and departed 291030Z November. The aircraft offloaded eight passengers and 539 pounds of cargo consisting of personal baggage and Embassy mail. No passengers or cargo were onloaded. The aircraft then proceeded to New Delhi, arriving at 291130Z and offloaded four passengers and 1,800 pounds of Embassy cargo. The C–141 departed New Delhi at 300415Z for Bangkok, Thailand. The above information has been provided to the Department of State.

Colin C. Hamilton
Brigadier General, USAF
Deputy Director for Operations (NMCC)

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, NEA Files: Lot 73 D 69, Miscellaneous–SOA 1971. Secret; Limdis. Prepared by Brigadier General Colin C. Hamilton, USAF.
2. General Colin Hamilton responded to an Indian allegation of U.S. military assistance to Pakistan.