Delhi. July 23
Mr Jagjivan Ram. the Indian Defence Minister, told Parliament today that he had ordered the Army and the Air Force to attack any Pakistani aircraft which intruded into Indian territory in future.

Mr Ram had admitted that two Pakistani Mirage fighters penetrated India's air defence system in Kashmir on Tuesday to make a low sweep over Srinagar airport.

He alleged that Pakistan was building up offensive position near the Kashmir cease-fire line to divert world attention from events in East Pakistan. He said that the country’s three defence services had been placed on “constant alert”.

India had lodged a strong protest with the Pakistan Government against the violations of Indian air space which were “clear and deliberate”, he said. “The Government of India hold the Government of Pakistan fully responsible for any consequences that may flow from such hostile acts.”

With tension between Pakistan and India now at boiling point Mr Ram said that he was certain the Pakistanis were preparing to open a diversionary front in West Pakistan because President Yahya Khan was feeling the impact of the increase in guerrilla activities in East Pakistan.

“There is an hysterical preparation on the western border. They are building up positions and conducting exercises and manoeuvres.”

Mr Ram was replying to agitated MPs who claimed that India's air defence warning system failed to detect the two Pakistani fighters which penetrated into India for eight minutes. Other politicians believed that Pakistan aircraft had made the surprise swoop over Srinagar to test new radar jamming equipment which would be used in a lightning Israeli-type strike on Indian air bases.

The minister denied this allegation and said that Indian electronic devices had detected the intruding aircraft, but he would not give reasons for the Indian Air Force's failure to intercept them with Soviet surface-to-air missiles.

“I am quite satisfied that the defence system in Kashmir is quite secure and adequate, but India is not going to do anything under provocation. When the occasion arises we will do what is necessary. I have already consulted our three service chiefs”, he added.