16 December 1971 – Vijay Diwas, When 93000 Pakistani Soldiers surrendered to the Indian Army in Dhaka, Bangladesh
New Delhi: The people of India and the people of Bangladesh are observing December 16 as Vijay Diwas. On this day, 93000 Pakistani Soldiers surrendered to the Indian Army in Dacca (Today’s Dhaka) Bangladesh. The day is also observed in Bangladesh as ‘Bijoy Dibos’.
The thirteen-day war resulted in the Pakistan army surrendering before India with around 93,000 soldiers.
According to historians, The conflict erupted in Pakistan after an East Pakistani party, the Awami League, won the elections. Following this, the Pakistani army began the barbaric slaughter of Bengali and Hindu residents of East Pakistan.
The exact figure of deaths is unknown but is estimated to be between 3 to 5 million. To seek refuge and to save their lives, about 8 to 10 million people moved to India.
After Pakistan’s attack on 11 of India’s Air Bases, Former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi had ordered then Army Chief General Sam Manekshaw to launch a full-throttle war against Pakistan.
India, along with the forces of Mukti Bahini (freedom fighters), captured around 15,010 kilometers of Pakistan’s territory. This was also the first time when all three Indian forces fought together.
The war ended with Pakistani General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93,000 troops, surrendering to India and signing the Instrument of Surrender on 16 December 1971 in Dhaka.
This also ended the Bangladesh Liberation War, which had started in March 1971, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. About 3,800 soldiers from both countries lost their lives.
(_Vinayak Barot)
