THE NEW YORK TIMES, DECEMBER 17, 1971
JOY AND MARIGOLDS
Dacca Pakistan, December 16-Shouting. “Joy 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 kissd Indian Punjabi 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 for 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 city, word was flashed through United Nations radio channels that the Pakistan second in command, Maj Gen, Rao Farman Ali had accepted the ultimatum.
United Nations official, 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 walkietalkie 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 arrangements were first discussed at talks held in the cantonment in the afternoon. But two Indian Generals had arrived there earlier, Maj-Gen. Gandharv Naagra and Brig-Gen. 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. Maj- Gen. 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 Brig. Gen. 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