You surrender or We wipe you out” was the message given by Chief Army Sam Manekshaw to Pakistan on 13th December 1971.”i
“The Field Marshal proved his words as the world then saw the unprecedented surrender of more than 93000 Pakistani soldiers”.
On Wednesday, India observed the 50th anniversary of the 1971 war with Pakistan, also known as the Bangladesh Liberation War.
The war broke out under the leadership of 8lthen-prime minister Indira Gandhi and chief of army staff (COAS), General Sam Manekshaw, the war terminated in less than two weeks with a momentous victory for India and resulted in the creation of Bangladesh, which was then known as East Pakistan.
Indo-Pak war,1971,a 13-day military war is one of the shortest wars in history.
HOW IT ALL STARTED?
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In March 1971, When Pakistan government disregarded the recognition of the Awami League’s win in the 1970 elections, responding to which Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called for a nationwide strike. Pakistan, With the fear that East Pakistan will continue to seek more autonomy, arrested Rehman and imprisoned him on the charges of sedition in Lahore.
After his imprisonment, Pakistan prime minister Yahya Khan sent General Tikka Khan to Dhaka to outset the insurrection. Following, General Tikka Khan planted a crackdown on Bangladesh’s political leaders, students, and minorities. These actions were just a trailer of a war crime, according to many observers.
On December 3, Pakistan dragged India into the war, when Pakistan Air Force attacked India’s air bases in Amritsar, Ambala, Agra, Awantipur, Bikaner, Halwara, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Pathankot, Bhuj, Srinagar, and Uttarlai. Indian Air Force quickly retaliated the attacks and immediately moved into then-East Pakistan as PM Indira Gandhi ordered a “full-scale” invasion of Pakistan. Thus, officially marking the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971.
By 14 December, Pakistani troops visibly collapsed.
Finally, On 16 December 1971, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw asked General Niazi, Pakistani forces, to unconditionally surrender in front of the Indian Army. Ninety-three thousand Pakistani troops surrendered to the Indian Army on 16 December in 1971 making it the biggest surrender in world history since the second world war.