Lieutenant Gen SR Ghosh (Retired)
Former GOC-in-C, Western Command
An iconic sign on the Indo-Pak border read: “You are now entering Pakistan. Passports are not required. Hit anyway. ”This was for the 54th Indian Infantry Division under the command of the charismatic Major General WAG Pinto, who led the Indian offensive in the Shakargarh Bulge in December 1971.
For the nation, 1971 was a historic year and we, as newly commissioned second lieutenants, were part of this history, part of this great military success. And this victory is celebrated every year on December 16 as Vijay Diwas.
Sadly, over the years, it seems that the 1971 war is gradually fading from public memory and is being overtaken by Kargil, Balakot, Doklam, and Galwan. Vijay Diwas has been replaced by Kargil Vijay Diwas. Has the nation forgotten the greatest victory ever achieved by its armed forces? Have all the sacrifices of our young officers and men been in vain?
Today, many of us who were part of this great campaign are no longer. The youngest alive are over 70 years old. All that these veterans have left is a brief wreath ceremony on December 16 at a war memorial, to which most of them aren’t even invited. The rest of the nation, in any case, barely remembers this war.
In the run-up to the 50th anniversary of the war next year, the nation should commemorate December 16, 1971, when, under the leadership of iconic General Sam Manekshaw, the Indian Army, supported by the IAF and the Navy of India suffered a blitzkrieg. his way to achieve one of the greatest victories of any modern army, dismembering Pakistan and causing one of the greatest humiliations any country could ever suffer.
The “famous” Pakistani army fell out of favor in the eyes of the world when General AAK Niazi and his 93,000 soldiers prostrated themselves in front of the Indian army in the largest military surrender after World War II. To this day, the Pakistani army looks out in the shame of this defeat by an army it used to mock.
December 16 is a day of rejoicing because on this day we, together with Mukti Bahini, liberated and created a new free nation, Bangladesh, and put an end to a barbaric pogrom by the Pakistani army of mass murder and rape of its innocent people and hapless.
In a memorable conclusion to the war, the young elder Ashok Tara, VrC, in a brilliant operation, rescued the entire family of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, a prisoner of the Pakistani army, including his wife Begum Fazilatunnesa and his daughter Sheikh Hasina, current Prime Minister. . from Bangladesh and a great friend from India.
The war produced heroes such as our young Param Vir Chakra (PVC) recipients 2 / Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal, Flight Officer Nirmaljit Sekhon and Lance Naik Albert Ekka, who along with several thousand brave and unrecognized soldiers gave their lives with the words ‘Naam, Namak, Izzat’ in his last breaths. We had inspiring officers like Major Hoshiyar Singh, awarded the PVC for extraordinary bravery in Shakargarh, Major Ian Cardozo, who, presumed dead due to gangrene, cut his leg with his khukri and became a Major General, or Maj KS Chandpuri, MVC, who with his small force gallantly defended Longewala’s post against far superior Pakistani forces, thus allowing the IAF to decimate the attacking enemy tank regiments.
A special place of honor should be reserved for silent service, the Indian Navy. In a daring operation, their missile boats attacked the port of Karachi, sinking and damaging several Pakistani ships and destroying critical logistics facilities. The Navy dominated the western and eastern coastlines, thus greatly restricting the freedom of action of the Pakistani Navy.
New generations also need to learn and honor extraordinary commanders such as Captain MN Mulla, MVC, who, in the highest traditions of the Navy, chose to sink with his ship INS Khukri, along with nearly 200 officers and sailors.
On this occasion, we, as a nation, should forever remember with great pride and gratitude the last sacrifice made by 4,000 Indian soldiers who gave their lives on the battlefield and 10,000 more who returned home injured or disabled.
Let us also never forget our 54 officers and men taken as prisoners of war, who are dead or dying in Pakistani jails. How unfortunate and tragic that we, as victors, allowed 93,000 Pakistani prisoners to return home to their families but were unable to bring back our own soldiers, while also returning 13,000 square kilometers of captured territory earned with blood, labor and the sweat of our men.
Next year is the golden jubilee year of war. On this historic occasion, not only the Indian Army, but India as a nation must also celebrate Vijay Diwas 1971 and remind the world of this great victory of the ‘righteous over evil’. In addition to declaring 2021 as the Year of the Soldier, December 16 should henceforth be celebrated as Armed Forces Day and end the outdated and irrelevant Armed Forces Flag Day on December 7.
Let’s add a chapter to our history books for future generations to read about this momentous victory and continue to remember and honor the sacrifices made by the brave soldiers of India.
