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Treason, thy name is canned fruits and vegetables
India said Tuesday it would investigate reports that an army brigadier sold the country's battle plan before the 1965 war with Pakistan to fund his wife's hobby of canning fruits and vegetables. Gohar Ayub Khan, son of former Pakistan President Ayub Khan, said in an interview to the Pakistani newspaper, The News, Monday that Pakistani agents had bought the Indian military plan for 20,000 rupees ($458) from the officer, who needed money to buy equipment for his wife to fulfil her hobby. The News story was splashed across front pages in the Indian media Tuesday and was a major story on TV news channels. Gohar, a former Pakistan foreign minister whose autobiography will be released in coming weeks, told the Pakistani newspaper that the Indian brigadier was still alive and served in a very senior position before retiring. The Indian defense ministry said though it doubted Gohar's claims it would investigate. "The incident took place 30 to 35 years ago... It needs to be looked into and will be investigated," Indian Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters while inaugurating a new naval base on India's western coast. But he said it was highly unlikely that an officer of the rank of brigadier would have the military's complete battle plan. India and Pakistan fought their second war with fierce air and tank battles in September 1965 with neither side able to claim a clear-cut victory when a U.N.-sponsored cease-fire came into effect after three weeks of fighting. India and Pakistan have fought three wars since both gained independence from Britain in 1947, of which two, including the 1965 conflict, were over the disputed territory of Kashmir. A war in 1971 led to the creation of Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan. Both nations are now involved a cautious peace process. Posted by: Anonymoose 2005-05-31 |
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