On December 16, 1971, the Chief of Forces of Pakistan, surrendered to the Indian Army and Mukti Bahini in Dhaka.
New Delhi:
Bangladesh today recalled the 1971 war that marked the culmination of its Pakistani freedom movement and paid valuable tributes to the war heroes of the Indian Army and its own freedom fighters. December 16 marks the end of the 13-day war that led to the liberation of East Pakistan and the birth of Bangladesh as an independent nation. The day is celebrated in India as Vijay Diwas.
In a Facebook post, the government of Bangladesh said: “We remember those who fought for us. We remember those who came to our aid in our nation’s darkest hour. In particular, we remember the thousands of Indian soldiers who stepped forward forward in the call of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to fight alongside our Muktibahini … “.
The post remembered the heroes of the war: General Jagjeet Singh Arora and General MAG Osmani, General JFR Jacob, General Uban and “the rest of the General Staff, Commanders, Officers and Men, Doctors and Nurses”.
“The blood debt cannot be paid with anything but love and respect,” the post read.
On December 16, 1971, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, head of the Pakistani forces, surrendered to the Indian army and Mukti Bahini in Dhaka with 93,000 soldiers.
The surrender followed quarterback Sam Manekshaw’s famous challenge three days earlier. “Surrender or we will annihilate you” was the message sent to Pakistan by the quarterback.
This morning, on the 50th anniversary of Vijay Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh paid a rich tribute to the war heroes. PM Modi lit a “Swarnim Vijay Mashaal” – a torch of victory – – in the eternal flame of the National War Memorial in Delhi.
In a tweet, President Ram Nath Kovind said: “At Vijay Diwas, let us remember the courage of our soldiers who affirmed our nation’s unwavering commitment to defend our sovereignty and protect human dignity. Their martyrdom in the 1971 war had demonstrated a unprecedented bravery and skill. our forces. The nation is forever indebted to them. ”
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu paid tribute to the martyred soldiers in the 1971 war and said that their courage and valor continues to inspire all Indians.
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