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Helibridge over the Meghna
Move puts Indian Army on the Road to Dacca with no obstructions

Dec 10, Agartala: In another dramatic move in the advance to East Pakistan's capitla of Dacca, Indian Army troops are being helilifted across the massive Meghna River in huge numbers bypassing the sole remaining Pakistani position in between.

Yesterday's battle at Ashuganj , the only bridge over the Meghna that provided the troops of IV Corps a direct route to Dacca showed that capturing Ashuganj is a daunting task that might result in high casualities. Moreover Aerial photos have shown that the Bridge at Ashuganj has been destroyed and it would require the Army Engineers to construct a new bridge over the sprawling Meghna if our troops have to continue the advance top Dacca.

The Commander of IV Corps, Lt Gen Sagat Singh, has decided to airlift troops from Brahmanbaria using Mi-4 Helicopters of the IAF. The Helicopters used in yesterday's airlift to Sylhet were called back and immediately employed in this move. It is known that Group Captain Chandan Singh, commanding the IAF forces inthe sector is coordinating the Helilift along with Maj Gen B F Gonsalves, the Divisional Commander.

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Mi-4 Helicopters airlifting troops near Brahmanbaria. Atleast a Brigade's worth of troops ahve been airlifted to Raipura and Narsingi across the river Meghna

The airlift started yesterday evening. Troops began to be airlifted to Raipura which was just south of the Ashuganj Bridge, and once the position was consolidated, the troops were helilifted straight to Narsingdi. From Narsingdi the road to Dacca lay bare for IV Corps to take.

To provide support for the heliborne troops, PT-76 Tanks had been sent to ford the Meghna River. The tanks broke down after overheating in the water midstream and were towed to the other side using mechanised boats. By today evening, 311 Brigade had been airlifted and had established a firm base at Narsingdi. Another Brigade the 73rd,

is being moved across the river using Boats and riverine craft.

The move would defenitely come as a shocker to the Pakistanis, as currently there is a metalled road to Dacca from Narsingdi and no Pakistani Regular troops in between to defend. Only the troops in Dacca would be there to defend the city.

Moreover, the Pakistani garrision at Ashuganj has been effectively bypassed. Now they face two fronts, one front at Brahmanbaria and the second at Raipura. Lt Gen Sagat Singh is expected to build up more troops at Narsingdi before the push to Dacca resumes.