INDEPENDENT WAR 71
INT'L NEWSPAPER CUTTING
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AFTER THE DARK NIGHT..
BANGLADESH IS FREE !
Bangladesh is free at last! Dhaka is the free capital of free Bangladesh!
It is the 16th day of 1971 - an extraordinary day for the people of Bangladesh. The dawn of this great day marked the history of ultimate victory for the people of Bangladesh.
After a most tragic and traumatic experience of 9 months, people of Bangladesh found their most cherished dream - a free Bangladesh, to be a reality.
With the news of the surrender of brutal Pakistani's, spreading like wild fire, jubilant crowds poured into the streets. There were spontaneous eruptions of joy and celebration.
Freedom-fighters and freedom-loving
people advancing towards Dhaka.
The Bengalis danced on the streets, on the roots of trucks and buses, even on the tanks of allied force Indian Army. They shouted independence slogans - "Joy Bangla" (long live Bangladesh) in the streets. They emerged from their hornes waving the red-green and gold flags of Bangladesh they had concealed for so long, they embraced, they cheered, they rejoiced.
(1)
A NEW NATION TO BE FORMED
Bangladesh was born of a dream twice deferred. Twenty-four years ago, Bengalis voted to join the new nation of Pakistan, which had been carved out of British India... Before long, religious unity disintegrated into racial and regional bigotry as the autocratic Muslims of West Pakistan systematically exploited their Bengali brethren in the east. One year ago last week, the Bengalis thronged the polls in Pakistan's first free nationwide elections, only to see their overwhelming mandate to Mujib brutally reversed by West Pakistani soldiers.
The crackdown took a terrible toll: perhaps 1,000,000 dead; 10 million refugees, untold thousands homeless, hungry and sick. And so at weeks end, the streams of refugees who walked so long and so far to get to India began making the long journey back home to pick up the threads of their lives. For some, there were happy reunions with relatives and friends, for others tears and the bitter sense of loss for those who will never return.
But, there were new homes to be raised, new shrines to be built, and a new nation to be formed. The land was there too, lush and green.
(The TIME Magazine, USA, December 20, 1971)
2. THE GREAT VICTORY
WAR IN EAST ENDS - INDIANS ENTER DACCA TO MARIGOLDS AND CHEERS
Dacca, December 16 - Indian army troops entered Dacca today to the cheers of thousands of Bengalis shouting "Jai Bangla" (Victory for Bengal).
The composite force of Indian troops and East Pakistani guerrillas, commanded by Major General Gandharv Naagra, assaulted a bridge on Dacca's outskirts in the early morning and then received word that the Pakistani command here had accepted India's ultimatum to surrender.
Naagra said he sent a note across town to the Pakistani military headquarters at about 8:30 a.m. local time (10 p.m. Wednesday EST) and received an immediate reply that there would be no further Pakistani resistance. He then entered the city with his men.
He met with Pakistan's commander here, Lt. General A A K Niazi, about 10 a.m. "We are old friends", Naagra said, "from college days".
The Indian General then went to Dacca airport to await the arrival of the Chief of Staff of India's Eastern Command, Major General J F R Jacob, who came by helicopter from his Calcutta headquarters.
At the airport, the General, with only three Indian soldiers nearby, stood twirling his rough-wood walking stick, while the Pakistani airport defense units grouped at the far end of the runway to move to their surrender point.
Armed Pakistani soldiers far outnumbered Indians in the streets for several hours, and there was sporadic shooting. Several Indians and Pakistanis were killed, including an Indian officer shot outside the Intercontinental Hotel.
Mukti Bahini men - Members of East Pakistan's liberation army - mingled with civilians in the happy crowds and fired their rifles in the air.
Naagra sent Brigadier H S Kler, Commander of the 95th Mountain Brigade, to the Intercontinental Hotel, a neutral zone under Red Cross auspices, to attempt to protect foreigners and the former civilian government of East Pakistan, which has taken refuge there.
Kler's car was repeatedly mobbed by Bengalis as he moved through the streets. At one point, the crowd tried to yank his driver out of the car and Kler stepped out, only to have Bengalis throw themselves around his neck while one pressed a bunch of marigolds into his bands.
"Thank you, thank you", the Bengalis yelled at him.
Naagra and Kler fought their way into Dacca from the north after crossing the Pakistani border on the morning of December 4 with slightly more than two brigades.
They covered 160 - partly by bullock-drawn cart and foot - fighting at every town.
"We were relying on you to get us home for Christmas", a reporter told Naagra at the airport. "Well, we have done it", the General replied.
Naagra Said that the road into Dacca down which he came was littered with the bodies of Pakistani soldiers. "It was pathetic", he said, "we could not bury them. We did not have time."
"We were cheered all the way", Naagra continued, "At Mymensingh, all my patches and badges were snatched off by the crowds."
"I hope everything is peaceful and quiet", Jacob said, "We have given our guarantee that the soldiers and West Pakistanis will be protected, and we mean to keep it."
About eight Bengalis rushed through the airport gate onto the runway to greet Jacob. "May I shake your hand" they asked one after another. "They have killed us like rats for nine months', one told Jacob, referring to the Pakistani army.
Turning to a reporter, the Bengali asked: "What country are you from?" "America", the reporter replied.
December 16,1971 : A pre-surrender sceneof the defeated Pak Army at the historic Race Course Maidan (Suhrawardy Uddyan). In the picture along with others are Lt. General Jaggit Singh Aurora, Commander of the Allied Force, Lt. Gen. A.A.K. Niazi, Commander of Pakistan Army and Major Haider of the Bangladesh Liberation Force.
3.JOY AND MARIGOLDS
Dacca, Pakistan, December 16, Shouting "Joi Bangla!" and waving the Bangladesh flag, Indian troops in trucks and buses poured into the Pakistani military camp north of town today just after the Pakistanis had accepted an ultimatum to surrender.
Indian soldiers with marigolds in their gun barrels passed armed Pakistani soldiers in great traffic jams within the camp. Pakistani officers saluted Indian officers. Officers of both armies, many of whom attended the same schools under the British, shook hands and asked about mutual friends.
In Dacca itself, there were spontaneous eruptions of joy and celebration in the streets. Bengalis kissed Indian Pubjabai soldiers, tossing flowers at them and at the rebels who accompanied them. Most of the soldiers looked exhausted and bleak-eyed.
Pictures of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was the Awami League leader until he was imprisoned in West Pakistan in March, were hoisted above cars. Bengalis surrounded them, shouting "Joi Bangla" (Victory of Bangla) and "Sheikh Mujib".
One rebel leader, trying to stop Bengali mobs from seeking revenge on West Pakistanis and Bihari Moslems who co-operated with the Pakistani Army, reportedly said: ......"Now they are our prisoners, but unlike them, we must be civilized".
Ten minutes before the time limit given by the Indian Commander to the Pakistani army here to surrender to prevent the destruction of the city, word was flashed through United Nations radio channels that the Pakistani second in command, Major General Rao Farman Ali, had accepted the ultimatum.
United Nations officials, who feared that the city would be destroyed, drove to the military cantonment just north of town and found commanders there unable to get word to the Indians of their decision. Word was immediately relayed through walkie-talkie to United Nations headquarters here for urgent transmission. Minutes later, the first Indian Army officers arrived to announce the surrender decision through their channels.
The surrender arrangement were first discussed at talks held in the cantonment in the afternoon. But two Indian Generals had arrived there earlier, Major General Gandharv Naagra and Brigadier General Hardev S. Kler, who led the assault from the north on the city.
At 3 p.m., the Indian officers said the cease-fire would become permanent, but there was sporadic shooting in the city. Some artillery shells fell on the Pakistan fortifications in the early morning after their commander had accepted the surrender ultimatum. Major General J F R Jacob, Chief of Staff of India's Eastern Command, sent a message expressing regret that some of his units had not received the cease-fire orders, according to Brigadier General Baquir Siddiqui, Chief of Staff for the Pakistani Eastern Command.
General Kler praised the Pakistani army, saying, "They fought well, but they didn't hold out to the last man - that's good".
(James P. Sterra in THE NEW YORK TIMES - December 17, 1971)
4.
SURRENDER OR DIE
Even if they manage to reach the sea, the fleeing Pakistanis and their wives and children will have swim, if they go any farther. For the Indian Navy is waiting for them there and the Indian Air Force, which has undisputed control of the air, is having a field day shooting up Pakistani shipping.
Isolated by land, sea and air, under attack from all directions, and harassed by vengeful East Bengalis, the 60,000 West Pakistani troops in the East face the choice of surrender or death.
With the fall of Jessore in the West and Comilla in the East, two of their principal strong-points, it was doubtful if the Pakistanis will even make a fight for Dacca, the capital and apex of their triangular defense line.
Indian army officers, who seemed almost embarrassed by the ease with which they vanquished the supposedly fierce Pakistani fighters, said they were pursuing the enemy with deliberate slowness.
"We keep urging them to surrender", said Major Sabhu Singh, an artillery officer. "They haven't a chance anyway: And we are refraining from using our air because of the women and children.
The dark-skinned Bengalis lined the roadside to welcome the advancing Indian troops and shouted "Hail Bangladesh", their self-proclaimed new nation which has been recognized by New Delhi.
At one point along the road between Jessore and Khulna, the Bengalis danced around the bodies of a dozen slain Pakistani soldiers and shouted "Hail Bangla" for the benefit of foreign television cameras. None of them ever has seen TV. They don't even have electricity.
While they may have some reservations about their Indian liberators, it was clear the Bengalis were overjoyed to be free from the West Pakistanis, who for the past eight months have slaughtered them by the tens of thousands in a vain attempt to stamp out Bengali nationalism.
(KEYES BEECH in THE EVENINIG STAR, Washigton - December 10, 1971)
(5)
PAKISTANI GENERAL NEAR TO TEARS
Dacca, December 16 - Shooting still sounded in the background as in fading light crowds surrounded a table set up in front of Dacca Race Course and Lieutenant General A A K Niazi, looking grim, signed the terms of surrender.
Hundreds of Bengalis shouting Zindabad (Long live) were kept back by Indian troops who cordoned off the race course. General Niazi was near tears as he moved away, surrounded by cheering Bangladesh people.
Lieutenant General J S Aurora, the Indian Commander a turbaned Sikh, was hoisted on to soldiers' shoulders, as dusk fell.
Shouts of Jai Bangla (Victory to Bangla), fusillades of shots and the cheers of thousands of Bengalis greeted Indian parachute troops as they entered Dacca today. Bengalis mobbed the first jeeps that swept into the city, hugging and kissing the burly Sikhs of the 2nd Parachute Regiment.
They threw garlands of marigolds and bunches of red frangipani. Excited crowds danced on the roofs of buses carrying Indian troops and pitchers of water were brought from homes for the thirsty soldiers.
The Indian troops were commanded by Major General Gandharv Naagra, whose men had been in action until 8.30 a.m. local time, when word was passed to him from Pakistan headquarters that it had agreed to a cease-fire. General Naagra met General Niazi at about 10 a.m.
Colonel Pannu, Commander of the 2nd Parachute Regiment, said General Niazi was "full of beans". "We talked soldier to soldier and swapped dirty jokes", he said.
Lieutenant Colonel B P Rikhye, an Indian officer who witnessed the surrender ceremony, said that contingents of Pakistan and Indian troops were drawn up nearby as the documents were signed.
"Then Aurora stripped Niazi's insignia of rank of his shoulders - it is the custom", he said. "The Pakistan troops who had arms laid them down. Aurora was raised on the shoulders of the crowd and every Indian officer was mobbed by people throwing flowers".
(Peter O. Loughlin in THE TIMES, London - December 17, 1971)
5.
Instrument of Surrender
The PAKISTAN Eastern Command agree to surrender all PAKISTAN armed Forces in BANGLADESH to Lieutenant General JAGJIT SINGH AURORA, General Officer Commanding in chief of the Indian and BANGLADESH forces in the Eastern Theater. This surrender includes all PAKISTAN land, air and naval forces as also all para military forces and civil armed forces. These forces will lay down their arms and surrender at the places where they are currently located to the nearest regular troops under the command of Lieutenant General JAGJIT SINGH AURORA.
The PAKISTAN Eastern Command shall come under orders of Lieutenant General JAGJIT SINGH AURORA as soon as this instrument has been signed. Disobedience of orders will be regarded as a breach of the surrender terms and will be dealt with in accordance with the accepted laws and usage of war. The decision of Lieutenant General JAGJIT SINGH AURORA will be final, should any doubt arise as to the meaning or interpretation of the surrender terms.
Lieutenant General JAGJIT SINGH AURORA gives a solemn assurance that personnel who surrender shall be treated with dignity and respect that soldiers are entitled to in accordance with provisions of the GENEVA Convention and guarantees the safety and well-being of all PAKISTAN military and para-6military forces who surrender. Protection will be provided to foreign nationals, ethnic minorities and personnel of West Pakistan origin by the forces under the command of Lieutenant General JAGJIT SINGH AURORA.
6.CAUSES OF PAKISTAN'S DEFEAT
On one-point at least the international strategical experts were not mistaken: they all predicted that the Indo-Pakistani ......conflict would be short-lived and would not last more than three weeks. Most of them were nevertheless surprised by the speed of the defeat and collapse of the Pakistani army, which the Pentagon and a certain number of European Generals considered to be the best in the Asian continent. However, this is not first mistake of judgement the US intelligence services have made.
If India was able to win in a fortnight, it was not due only to her superiority in number of troops and in fire-power. Among the determining factors on the Indian side were her more detailed planning, better strategical and tactical organization, faultless co-operation of the three arms, readiness to adopt new strategical methods suggested by Soviet advisers, and last but not least the discipline of her troops and their total confidence in their High Command.
Even before the outbreak of hostilities, Delhi had prepared for the campaign by organizing, if not by arming, the Mukti Bahini of Bangladesh, who harassed unceasingly the Pakistani occupation forces and contributed notably in destroying their strong points, sapping their morale and interfering with their supplies, in particular by sabotaging their arms and petrol depots. Islamabad's disorganization was aggravated certainly by the disputes and controversies between President Yahya Khan and Generals Pirzada and Hamid Khan on the one hand and the Ministers, led by Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on the other: but the most serious was that the fate of the Pakistani army was entrusted to a pretentious and incompetent General Staff.
The operations were directed by two Generals whose only claim to distinction was their friendship with the Head of State. The first was General Tikka Khan, Commander of the Kasmir sector, already notorious on account of masscring "administered" populations which earned him the name of 'butcher of Baluchistan and of Bengal'. As for his military qualifications, it may be worth recalling that when he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, a "confidential" report by his superior officers to the General Staff in Karachi stated that "this officer has shown himself unfit to hold posts of high responsibility".
The second right-hand man of Yahya Khan, General Niazi, although nicknamed by his subordinates "The Tiger", did not show more strategic ability than his friend Tikka. Brutal, cruel, stupid, boosted up to succeed General Tikka Khan as Commander in East Bengal, he encouraged his men to atrocities and looting to 'subdue' the hostile people of the Eastern province. Against these officers, who discredited the Pakistani army, the Indian forces were commanded by General Jagjit Singh Aurora, whose tactical devices and inspirations took the enemy by surprise, bewildered and routed him.
(Georges Anderson in THE COMBAT, Paris - December 27, 1971)
7.REAL REASON'S BEHIND PAKISTAN'S DEFEAT
Pakistan had to lose more than half of its territories during the recent war. But it should have considered the real reasons behind this. Instead, the newly appointed President, Mr. Bhutto, has issued a statement in the name of the country which has caused us much disappointment. Everybody knows well that Mr. Bhutto is no less responsible than Yahya Khan for the dismemberment of Pakistan. In fact, had Mr. Bhutto not given wrong advice to Yahya Khan after the general elections, East Pakistan would not have been converted into Bangladesh today. In any case, Bangladesh has now emerged as a new nation according to the aspirations of the entire people of East Pakistan. This cannot be suppressed by any force of the world. Mr. Bhutto should realise this truth. This is what we advise him. The speech delivered by him yesterday is very disappointing and self-contradictory. Mr. Bhutto claims to be an elected leader of Pakistan. He must admit that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is a geater leader than himself on the basis of elections. Had Mr. Bhutto accepted election results in a democratic manner, no liberation struggle would have been essential in Bangladesh. Nor would war have broken out between India and Pakistan and Pakistan defeated in such manner.
In any case, Mr. Bhutto will learn a lesson from incidents which occurred during the past nine months, and make all-out efforts to maintain unity in West Pakistan which survives. In words, he should admit the existence of Bangladesh. On the other hand, if he makes the preparation to fight a war with India, he will be wholly responsible for losing West Pakistan in the same manner as Yahya and himself have been accused of disintegrating Pakistan.
(DAINIK NEPAL, Kathmandu - December 21, 1971)
Independence War
A Long Way to Freedom
The people of Bangladesh discovered their identity through the Language Movement in 1952. The struggle to establish their identity and national spirit began soon after 1947 when they realized that under Pakistan created on the two nation theory they was little scope for the distance culture of Banglees to flourish . The refusal of the central government to grant status to Bangla language became the focal point of struggle, because language was the most important vehicle of the cultural expression of the people of this land.
The contradiction of the two Pakistans , the racial oppression and the exploitation of the West over the East was gradually unveiled. The struggle for the consciousness of identity and cultural freedom which began with the advent of the student movements of the 60's gained momentum in the mass movement of 1969. Though it brought about the fall of a mighty military ruler like Ayub Khan, the ultimate goal was not achieved. After this, came the election of 1970 with absolute victory of Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman.
In the elections of December 7, 1970 the Awami League won 160 out of 162 seats in East Pakistan, all but two, and would have had a clear majority in the new assembly had it been convened. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became the majority party leader of the Pakistan National Assembly .
The military rules of Pakistan refused to allow the Awami League to form a government. Major General Ziaur Rahman on behalf of Mujib declared independence. A full scale movement of non-cooperation with the military government began on the 26th of March, 1971 which is celebrated as the Independence Day every year. Thus Bangladesh plunged into a civil war.
The Pakistan Army began their genocide by attacking the innocent Bangalees of Dhaka city. The dwellers of Dhaka city never confronted such intolerable days. The Pakistani army massacred 35,000 Bengali intellectuals and unleashed a brutal war against the Bangalees of East Pakistan to prevent their secession. But no one let the dream encircled flag fall down to dust .
During the nine month struggle which ensued an estimated three million Bengalis died and and ten million refuges fled into India Sheikh Mujib was imprisoned in west Pakistan. A Bangladesh Government in exile was established. The actual military campaign took place in December and lasted only ten days. The Indian Army launched a massive offensive against the Pakistani forces to support the Bangladesh movement . On December 16, 1971, the Pakistan army surrendered.
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