Calcutta, May 25
The tense situation on the Indo-Pakistan border took a serious turn for the worse today when Indian and Pakistan troops exchanged fire near Dalu, where the Assam foothills in the newly formed state of Meghalaya adjoin the northern regions of East Bengal.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that at least 22 Indians, including nine members of the paramilitary border security force, and an unknown number of Pakistanis were killed in heavy shelling and machine-gun fire across the border.

A government spokesman described the clash as the most serious incident since the crisis in East Bengal erupted last month.

A spokesman for the Indian border security force claimed tonight that Pakistan, troops who have moved up to the border in recent weeks began to shell Indian positions in Dalu early this morning.

The situation on the1,300-mile frontier has never been as dangerous as it is today. Indian and Pakistan troops have moved up to within several hundred yards of each other at many points.

Mr. M. M. Choudhury, the Chief Minister of Assam, accused Pakistan of aggression today and alleged that President Yahya Khan's troops had made an unprovoked attack on Assam territory.
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