HINDUSTAN STANDARD, DECEMBER 16, 1971
NIAZI GIVEN A FEW HOURS TO SURRENDER
From Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi, December 15 -Lt. Gen. Niazi, Commander-in-Chief of the West Pakistan occupation forces in Bangladesh has requested India for a cease-fire. General Manekshaw, Chief of the Indian Army Staff, has again called for a surrender of the occupation army and given Lt. Gen. Niazi time till 9 a.m. tomorrow to accept the surrender call.
As a token of his good faith. General Manekshaw has informed Lt. Gen. Niazi that India suspended air action against his forces with effect from 5 p.m. today till 9 a.m. tomorrow. Operations by Indian land forces and the Muktibahini will however, not be suspended.
Lt. Gen. Niazi’s request for a cease-fire in Bangladesh was conveyed in a message to General Manekshaw through the courtesy of the US Embassy at New Delhi at 12-30 p.m. The message was witnessed by Maj. Gen. Farman Ali, military adviser to the Governor under the military regime. General Manekshaw’s reply was also routed through the US Embassy.
The Indian spokesman who disclosed this evening that messages had passed between Lt. Gen. Niazi and General Manekshaw would not say what the former’s message said. Bur General Manekshaw’s reply the full text of which was released gave an indication of part of the contents of the West Pakistani Army officer’s message.
Gen. Manekshaw told Gen. Niazi “I have received your communication regarding cease fire in Bangladesh at 14-30 hrs, today through the American Embassy in New Delhi.
I have previously informed Gen. Farman Ali in two messages that I would guarantee (A) safety of all your military and paramilitary forces who surrender to me in Bangladesh.
(B) Complete protection to foreign nationals, ethnic minorities and personnel of West Pakistani origin, no matter who they may be. Since you have indicated your desire to stop fighting I expect you to issue orders to forces under your command in Bangladesh to cease fighting immediately and surrender to my advancing forces wherever they are located.
I give you my solemn assurance that personnel who surrender shall be treated with dignity and respect that soldiers are entitled to and I will abide by the provisions of the Geneva Conventions. Further, as you have many wounded I shall ensure that they are well cared for and your dead given proper burial. No one need have any fear for their safety no matter where they come from. Nor shall there be any reprisal by forces operating under my command.
Immediately I receive a positive response I shall direct General Aurora Command of Indian and Bangladesh forces in the Eastern theatre to refrain from all air and ground action against your forces. As the token of my good faith I have ordered that no air action shall take place over Dacca from 17-00 hours today.
I assure you I have no desire to inflict unnecessary casualties on your troops as I abhor loss of human lives. Should however, you not comply with what I have stated you will leave me with no other alternative but to resume my offensive with the utmost vigour at 09 00 hrs on the morning (1sl) of December 16.
In order to be able to discuss and finalize matters quickly I have arranged for a radio link on listening watch from 17-00 hours P’ today (December 15). Frequency will be 66.05 KH by day and 32.16 KH by night.
The call signs will be Cal-Bac. I would suggest to you to instruct your signalers to restore microwave communications immediately. Message ends.
The Voice of America quoting a report from Dacca said late tonight that Pakistan President Yahya Khan in a message to Gen. Niazi had advised him “to stop fighting if necessary.”
An official spokesman in Rawalpindi however, denied that any negotiations were in progress between the Pakistani military command in Dacca and the Indian authorities. BBC reported tonight.