Dated 15th December 1971 , Wednesday

Rupees 0.25 Paise

DEC 15 : New Delhi: In a significant development that occurred today, the Pakistani Army Commander in East Pakistan. Lt Gen A A K Niazi,  had informed the United States Consul General in Dhaka that he was willing to accept a ceasefire and transfer of power under certain conditions. 

Gen Niazi has informed in his message that   the Pakistan government is willing to stop fighting and give power to the Interim Government of Bangladesh if i. All Pakistani armed forces are allowed to regroup in designated areas agreed mutually ii. Safety of all West Pakistani people settled in East since 1947 is guaranteed,

iii. A guarantee of safety for those who had helped the West Pakistanis.

He had expressed his willingness to abide by whatever

resolution the Security Council will take in this regard.

This ceasefire offer was relayed to New Delhi by the US Government through its embassy in New Delhi. Apparently the Consul General had sent the ceasefire offer to his officials in Washington.

In reply to the offer of Ceasefire, the Indian Government had rejected the idea of conditional ceasefire.  Sources in Delhi have confirmed that India will settle for "nothing less than the unconditional surrender of all forces in East Pakistan". New Delhi's position became apparent when the ...[Read Full Story]

Dec 15: The Shakargarh sector saw more fighting today as the Indian Army attempted another unsucesful attack on the Pakistani town. Troops from 4 Grenadiers supported by 3/1 GR were involved. Army sources have indicated that the Pakistanis had reinforced Shakargarh.

Previous Issues

Dec 15, New Delhi: Keeping with the offer of the Indian Goverment as communicated by General Maneksahw to the Pakistani troops in the Eastern Sector, the IAF had suspended offensive operations against East Pakistani army targets from 1700 Hours today evening. The cessation of operations will continue until 0900 Hours tommorrow morning and    much will depend on what the Pakistani response is going to be.

Earlier in the morning operations against the Tejgaon airfield and targets in Dacca were undertaken. The HQ of the Army   command of the Pakistanis was one of the first targets to be hit today morning.

Tejgaon airfield was attacked by Canberras of No.16 Squadron at a low level. One of the Canberras was shot down by AA fire and it crashed in the vicinity. The crew Flt Lt B R E Wilson and Fg Off R B Mehta , the navigator are believed to have been killed as no parachutes were observed when it crashed. [Read Full Story]

Middle East Reaction.

Dec 15, NEW DELHi: Islamic ties and global compulsions have shaped the reaction towards Indian position in this war. It has been reported that Kuwait, which traditionally was India's ally had to join Saudi Arabia and Jordan in condemning India's action against Pakistan. [More]

Dec 15, Srinagar: The Indian army today conducted operations in the Kargil sector and wrested the posts of Wali and Malik. The operation began two days back on last light on 13th December, when jawans of 18 Punjab traversed 3000 yards of open ground and climbed 1500 feet to regroup at the position at Wali. The punjabis launched the attack at 0715 yesterday morning and  in a fight that saw heavy bunker to bunker fighting and hand to hand combat, the enemy was evicted from these positions.

The retreating Pakistani troops then converged on thier rear position at Malik and consolidated the defences.

An attack on Malik commenced today at 1000 hrs with massive shelling and  air attacks by  Vampire aircraft   operating   fromSrinagar. More hand to hand fighting took place as the Punjabis finally suceeded in taking the Malik post by 1305 Hrs. Further to the west in 19 Inf Divisions.....[Read Full Story]