The greatest surrender-Vijay diwas indo-pak 1971 war.

 

“You surrender or We wipe you out” was the message given by Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw to Pakistan on 13th December 1971 and 3 days later the world witnessed an unprecedented and a public surrender of more than 93000 Pakistani soldiers.

Celebrating the ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ on the occasion of India’s victory over Pakistan in 1971 war that also liberated Bangladesh , 16^th December 1971 is a day to be reminisced with immense pride but did you know how exactly did the surrender from Pakistan become a reality? Well the harbinger of the final twisted moments of the fall of the Pakistani forces in Dhaka was brought about by Lieutenant General Jack Farj Rafael Jacob, PVSM and the entire episode could might as well beat the climax of any Hollywood movie!

Tracing back 2 days before the great surrender, on 14^th of December the civil government of East Pakistan ceased to exist. Desperate Pakistani officials were looking for a ceasefire , a way to quietly end the war without loosing out on their pride and the same was agreed upon by the Indian army but Lt. Gen. J. F. R. Jacob had other ideas in mind.

In the afternoon of December 16, 1971 with a mindset of ceasefire Lt Gen AAK Niazi, the supreme commander of the Pakistani forces in Bangladesh was taken aback when Lt. Gen. Jacob put forward the written instrument of surrender which he had drafted all by himself.

After a long series of protests and arguments a very annoyed Lt Gen Jacob pulled Lt Gen Niazi aside and in an apparent resolute voice as quoted in his memoir ‘Surrender at Dacca’ said, " I have been talking to you for three days. I have offered you terms that you will be treated with respect and under Geneva Convention. If you surrender, we can protect you from the mukti bahini of Bangladesh. If you do not surrender, I wash my hands off anything that happens. I will give you 30 minutes and if you do not agree, I will order the resumption of hostilities and the bombing of Dhaka."

With only 3000 Indian troops present 30 miles away from Dhaka against the 26,400 Pakistani troops already armed with many American and Chinese weapons Gen Jacob had his fears about another major war that could be erupted. But with their supplies and ammunition being checkmated on all three fronts of defense, the water (read the navy day post to know more about this 😉 ), air and land, they had no other choice but to give in.  Lt. Gen. Jacob used this very frailty to India’s advantage

Remembering the longest and toughest 30 minutes of his life pacing the veranda of the military headquarters in a city behind enemy lines, Lt Gen Jacob was alone and unarmed, but he trusted his logic and faith. With the fate of millions hinged on the reply of the enemy commander to the threat, it was a crucial turning point for both the countries.

In a dramatic conclusion to the war, as Gen Jacob re-entered the room Gen Niazi was silent, "I take it as accepted” said  Gen Jacob and with that one of the world's most tactful military gamble had been pulled off successfully that actually determined the fate of the nation.

Gen Niazi, Gen Jacob and Gaving Young, a British Journalist during lunch at Dhaka Cantonment, 16 December 1971, shortly after Gen Jacob persuaded Gen Niazi to surrender. Photo: Magnum Archives

On the Race Course in front of the people of Dacca after the signing the surrender document, according to the tradition of surrendering General Niazi with a trembling hand and a melancholic face handed his revolver to General Jagjit Singh Aurora, the Commander in Chief of the Eastern Command of Indian army, thus closing the chapter of 13 days war between Pakistan and India, with the latter emerging victorious as always.

The surrendered revolver of Lt Gen AAK Niazi of Pak Army 

With that ended another glorious account of Indian army which as always reflected their ethos of forthrightness, fidelity and their spirit of serving not just their nation but also sacrificing nonetheless for liberating a country like Bangladesh.

JAI HIND

Hello fellow Indians! we hope this story gave you a different perspective over the 1971 Indo Pak war which is completing 50 years in 2021 ! If you liked the story we would really love to read your thoughts in the comment section below !

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