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Images
of 1971: The Pakistani Surrender at Dhaka
Sachin
Kanbargimath and L. N.
Subramanian
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The venerable Mi-4 Hound lands in Tangail. The
Mi-4 was the workhorse of the Indian Army at the
time. A highly successful heli-borne operation
using Mi-4's helped the Indian Army's 57
Mountain Division clear the mighty Meghna river.
The linkup at Tangail was the key to achieving a
quick victory in 1971. |
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COAS
General Sam Maneckshaw addressing Indian troops after the
surrender ceremony. Also seen in the picture Lt.
Gen. Sagat Singh, Maj. Gen. Gandharva S.
Nagra,and Brig. Hardev Singh Kler.
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This photo depicts Maj. Gen. G. S. Nagra,
GOC 101 Communication Zone
and Brig. Hardev Singh `Harry' Kler , Commander
of 95 Mtn Bde at the surrender ceremony
in Dhaka. . The 2nd
Para Battalion attached to the 101
Communication Zone was the first Indian Army
unit to enter Dhaka. Gen Nagra wears the
Divisional sign of 2 Mtn Div - He was sent to
hurriedly take over 101CZ from Maj Gen Gurbux
Singh, who was wounded in a mine accident. |
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Indian officers pose for photos next to
abandoned PAF Sabre jets at Dhaka airport. After
an initial show of force by the PAF, the IAF
dominated the skies. Inspite of orders to
'destroy' the Sabres, Air Cmde Imam, AOC Dhaka
failed to carry out the instructions. |
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Eastern Army Commander Lt. Gen. Aurora addresses
the Bangladeshi crowd in a liberated town |
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Mukti Bahini soldier addresses Bangla civilians.
The Mukti Bahini's support was critical to the
success of the Indian Army's offensive. A large
number of Mukti Bahini soldiers - hard core
Bangladeshi patriots lost their lives to Pakistani
bullets. |
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General
Maneckshaw meeting Indian troops. |
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Maj. Gen. Nagra lands at Tangail with Brig Kler
and some Officers of the Para Regiment. |
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Jubiliant Bangla women in Dhaka after
liberation. Note that both are carrying rifles;
women played a major role in the Mukti Bahini. |
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Maj. Gen. Nagra and Brig. Kler conferring with an
unidentified IAF Officer. Brig. Kler's 95 Mountain
Brigade was tasked with subduing the Pakistani
garrison at Jamalpur. The IAF offered close air
support and that enabled Brig. Kler to end the
Jamalpur siege
quickly. With Jamalpur out of the way, 95 Mountain
Brigade was able to swiftly link up with troops
from the 50 Para Brigade dropped near Tangail.
This closed the noose around Dhaka. |
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4th
Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Sagat Singh
addressing Indian troops at the surrender
ceremony. General Sagat Singh's penchant for
rapid maneuver was the driving force behind the
57 Mountain Division's jump across the Meghna.
Though 4th Corps `lost' the `Dash to
Dhaka' to the 101 Communication Zone's troops,
Gen. Sagat Singh's leadership played a major
part of ensuring the victory of 1971.
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Colonel Tate of the Pakistan Army addressing
surrendered Pakistani troops.
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Surrendered Pakistani Troops standing for
inspection. |
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Normalcy
was restored as the days went by. |
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All Photos are credited to Brig S.
S. Kanbargimath (Retd), who was attached to the 95
Mountain Brigade at the time. Gen. Kler's 95
Mountain Brigade was the first Indian formation to reach Dhaka on
December 16th 1971.
This photo feature is dedicated to
the unknown soldiers who gave their lives for the
liberation of Bangladesh.
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