Events that led to the surrender of the Pakistani forces in 1971, saw Indira Gandhi earning the name of ‘Iron Lady’. Her uncompromising attitude won India a war that even four decades later, is highlighted in history books as event that made India proud of its empathetic foreign policy and powerful armed forces
For India, the campaign was a fine example of what can be achieved with synergy. Major General (Retd) G. D. Bakshi, a combat veteran and an author, considers it to be one of the finest moments in the history of the Indian defence forces. “In military terms, the Indian forces achieved dominance in all the three domains of land, air and water during the 1971 war. It became an example of jointmanship. The Indian Air Force (IAF) achieved remarkable success when it achieved complete air superiority in the Eastern theatre of war in the first 48 hours. This enabled the advancing Indian Army columns to move without any fear of detection even under daylight,” he says. For the Army, the five division-strong Indian forces advanced from three directions and secured choke points well in the rear. The Navy had blocked the sea and while the war was being fought, it sunk the Pakistani Ghazi submarine and also destroyed the Karachi harbour. It was as a consequence of these events that on December 16, 1971, Lt. Gen. Aurora, accepted one of modern history’s greatest surrender at the Dhaka Race Course. The Indian Army liberated Bangladesh in 12 days. The speed of operations was a text book achievement. It surprised the defenders who were never allowed to regain their balance.
While on one end, in the East, India’s infantry units were marching into enemy territory with success, Pakistani forces had opened the Western theatre as well to compel India either to divert its forces or to slow down the assault in the Eastern sector. Performance of the Indian Army in the Western front was equally commendable. The infantry units credibly operated in the deserts. The way operations were handled at Longewala is a classic example of how to hold one’s nerve as a rifle company. The 23 Punjab Regiment, under Major K. S. Chandpuri, remained rock-steady in their defences. This was despite the enemy’s well-armoured attack. They detected and intercepted the movement of the 51st Infantry Brigade of Pakistan and foiled Pakistan’s attempt to break through at Longewala. By the time the enemy got back for a second shot, the IAF came to the Army’s rescue.
Pakistan had also planned a few audacious moves with its Air Force (PAF). It launched a pre-emptive strike on 10 Indian air bases at Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Agra, Adampur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Uttarlai and Sirsa in the early hours on December 3. The aerial strikes, however, not just failed to accomplish the objectives, but also gave India an excuse to declare a full-scale war against Pakistan the same day. Under Lt. Gen. Aurora, three corps of the Indian Army invaded East Pakistan, entered Dhaka and forced Pakistani forces to surrender on December 16, 1971. Pakistan’s Lt. Gen. Niazi signed the Instrument of Surrender. The battle saw 11,000 Pakistani soldiers being killed, while in comparison, India suffered less than one-third of casualties. Pakistan lost 220 tanks during the battle. India, again less than a-third at 69. By December 16, Pakistan had lost a sizeable territory on both the Eastern and Western fronts.
The birth of Bangladesh, however came at an enormous ‘social’ cost. Before the Pakistan army was overpowered by the Indian Army, up to 3 million Bengalis had lost their lives in a span of nine ‘mad’ months.
While on one end, in the East, India’s infantry units were marching into enemy territory with success, Pakistani forces had opened the Western theatre as well to compel India either to divert its forces or to slow down the assault in the Eastern sector. Performance of the Indian Army in the Western front was equally commendable. The infantry units credibly operated in the deserts. The way operations were handled at Longewala is a classic example of how to hold one’s nerve as a rifle company. The 23 Punjab Regiment, under Major K. S. Chandpuri, remained rock-steady in their defences. This was despite the enemy’s well-armoured attack. They detected and intercepted the movement of the 51st Infantry Brigade of Pakistan and foiled Pakistan’s attempt to break through at Longewala. By the time the enemy got back for a second shot, the IAF came to the Army’s rescue.
Pakistan had also planned a few audacious moves with its Air Force (PAF). It launched a pre-emptive strike on 10 Indian air bases at Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Agra, Adampur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Uttarlai and Sirsa in the early hours on December 3. The aerial strikes, however, not just failed to accomplish the objectives, but also gave India an excuse to declare a full-scale war against Pakistan the same day. Under Lt. Gen. Aurora, three corps of the Indian Army invaded East Pakistan, entered Dhaka and forced Pakistani forces to surrender on December 16, 1971. Pakistan’s Lt. Gen. Niazi signed the Instrument of Surrender. The battle saw 11,000 Pakistani soldiers being killed, while in comparison, India suffered less than one-third of casualties. Pakistan lost 220 tanks during the battle. India, again less than a-third at 69. By December 16, Pakistan had lost a sizeable territory on both the Eastern and Western fronts.
The birth of Bangladesh, however came at an enormous ‘social’ cost. Before the Pakistan army was overpowered by the Indian Army, up to 3 million Bengalis had lost their lives in a span of nine ‘mad’ months.
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