News In Brief

India sends reinforcements to troubled Punjab State

India's government said Tuesday it had sent reinforcements to the turbulent northern state of Punjab. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, after touring an area near the Punjab on Monday , accused foreign forces of aiding the Sikh extremists in a conspiracy to ''dismember India.''

Mrs. Gandhi did not name the forces, which she called ''big powers,'' but the British Broadcasting Corporation reported that it was understood Mrs. Gandhi was referring to the United States.

She said the Indian government would take strong steps to curb terrorism but declined to disclose them for security reasons.

Mrs. Gandhi's government has claimed that predominantly Muslim Pakistan, which is a historic rival of India and which enjoys strong support from the Reagan administration, has links with Sikh extremists. Punjab is on the border with Pakistan.