A chronicle of Victory
The following is a chronicle of the events from the day when Pakistan launched its ‘holy war’ on India.
DECEMBER 3.- Pakistan launched a blatant air attack simultaneously on airfields in the Western sector-Amritsar, Srinagar, Pathankot, Abantipur in Kashmir, Faridkot in Punjab, Uttarlai in Rajasthan, Agra and Ambala. Three planes were shot down.
In a mid-night broadcast to the nation the Prime Minister said Pakistan had launched an undeclared full-scale war on India. · In Bangladesh Indian troops crossed into Akhaura, a strategic station two km west of Agartala.
DECEMBER 4.- Indian troops moved in massive strength in all sectors in Bangladesh and in concert with the Mukti Bahini began operating against West Pakistani forces. The IAF went into action and pounded Dacca and Jessore airfields in the east and Chanderi, Sherkat, Sargodha, Murid, Mianwali, Musroor (near Karachi) Rishibala (near Rawalpindi) and Changa Manga (near Lahore) in the west.
The Indian Navy also organized a total blockade of the entire Bangladesh coast.
Lt. Gen. Aurora, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command said : “Our objective is to secure total surrender of Pakistani troops.”
President Yahya said : “This will be our final war with India.” | DECEMBER 5. – A task force of the Indian Navy sank two Pakistani destroyers 20 miles off Karachi. And in the Bay of Bengal an enemy submarine was destroyed.
Indian troops captured Akhaura and were within 60 miles of Dacca.
At the UN Russia vetoed an American proposal on cease-fire and troops pullout. The Soviet Union also warned world powers to stay clear of the conflict.
DECEMBER 6. – INDIA RECOGNISES BANGLADESH : Amidst unprecedented cheers and jubilation the Prime Minister declared in Parliament that “in the light of the existing situation and in response to the repeated requests of the Government of Bangladesh, the Government of India has, after most careful consideration, decided to grant recognition to Ghana Prajatantra Bangladesh.”
Within a few hours of Mrs. Gandhi’s announcement Islamabad broke off diplomatic relations with New Delhi.
The USA also suspended general economic aid for India that was in the pipeline for delivery.
DECEMBER 7.- In Bangladesh, Jessore and Sylhet were liberated. President Yahya invited Mr. Nurul Amin of the Pakistan Democratic Party and Mr. Bhutto of the Pakistan People’s Party to form a coalition government.
Bhutan recognised Bangladesh.
DECEMBER 8.- In Bangladesh, Comilla was liberated, and a move to encircle Dacca started taking shape. One column of Indian troops, moving westward from Laksham, reached the outer defenses on Chandpur and Daudkandi.
DECEMBER 9.- With the liberation of Chandpur and Bhairab Bazar, the Indian Army now held a commanding position on the Meghna. The issue now being one of crossing the river, the Indian Army was already collecting river craft, West Pakistani troops were retreating into Dacca city from the frontlines.
A late report said the Pakistani prestige submarine ‘Ghazi’ had been sunk on December 3-4.
At a reception in Peking, the Chinese Prime Minister, Mr. Chou En-lai walked over to the Pakistani Ambassador and toasted “Pakistan’s victory.”
DECEMBER 10.- Indian troops crossed over to the western bank of the Maghna with the help of steamers and helicopters. Dacca radio went out of action as its transmitters were bombed.
Unified military command was set up by India and Bangladesh. Repeated Pak attacks in the Chhamb sector were repulsed.
Radio Peking warned India of “shameful defeat”. The Chinese Consul General said in Karachi Chairman Mao and Premier Chou would shortly announce measures to help Pakistan.
DECEMBER 11.- In Bangladesh, Mymensingh and Kushtia were liberated. Major General Firman Ali, military adviser to the puppet Bangladesh Civil Government, bypassed the local commander and Islamabad and directly appealed to the UN Secretary General to help pull out the Pakistani troops from Bangladesh.
In a massive counterattack in the Chhamb Sector, the Indian Army finally threw back the enemy to the western bank of the Munnawar Tawi.
“ceasefire talks now were unrealistic” said Mr. Swaran Singh in London on his way to the UN.
DECEMBER 12.- “Indian troops were paradropped in selected areas in the vicinity of Dacca. Simultaneously, Indian ground forces were closing in on the capital from more than one direction : Narsinghdi was liberated and the Indian column was within 30 miles of the city.”
At a mammoth public meeting in New Delhi the Prime Minister, without naming its blamed the USA for weakening Pakistan by giving military aid in the name of fighting Communism and allowing her to suppress democracy.
DECEMBER 13.- “The war has at last come to Dacca”. announced VOA. Indian troops moving with speed and precision from the north and east were closing the ring around Dacca defenses. Tangail was liberated. All escape routes from Dacca closed.
Reports from the USA said that President Nixon had given orders to the Seventh Fleet which ardu the Pacific for America, to move a section of it, including the nuclear-powered aircraft-car-rier Enterprise to the Bay of Bengal.
Unconfirmed reports said that some Chinese troop movements were noted on the Tibet frontier.
DECEMBER 14.- “The Government of East Pakistan headed by Governor A. M. Malik, resigned and dissociated itself from the Central administration of Islamabad.”
Indian troops were within 10 to 15 km of Dacca. A part of the Pakistani garrison led by a Brigadier, surrendered at Joydebpur, Chittagong harbor was set ablaze by repeated poundings by aircraft and ships of the Indian Navy.
The Soviet Union once again voted on an American proposal at the UN.
DECEMBER 15.- In response to the final appeal by General Manekshaw (two more appeals had been earlier) Lt. General Niazi, Commander-in-Chief of the West Pakistani Occupation Force in Bangladesh requested India for a cease-fire. He was given time till 9 a.m. on December 16 to surrender before the advancing Indians troops.
Indian jawans were only two km from Dacca.
As Enterprise steamed into the Bay of Bengal about 20 Soviet warships were massed in the Indian Ocean.
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 17.12.1971