Indo Pak War 1971: 5 Key Events That Changed History Forever

The Indo Pak War 1971 took place between Pakistan and India for the independence of Bangladesh (then East Pakistan). It was an armed conflict fought for 13 days from 3rd December to 16th December between East and West Pakistan. The 1971 war resulted in the creation of Bangladesh as an independent, sovereign country.

India got involved in the war due to the immigration of millions of Bengali people from Bangladesh. In the Indo Pak War 1971, the Pakistani army surrendered with 93,000 soldiers. It became the greatest surrender in world history after World War II.

India celebrates Vijay Diwas on December 16th every year to honor the Indian and Bangladeshi soldiers who became unsung war heroes during the 1971 conflict.

Historical Background of Indo Pak War 1971

Historically, trouble brewed in 1905 when Viceroy Curzon partitioned Bengal along religious lines. East Bengal emerged as a Muslim-majority region, while the west became predominantly Hindu. Post-1947 partition, East Bengal became a province of Pakistan, renamed East Pakistan. Despite their proximity, the two Pakistans differed linguistically, culturally, and administratively, with religion being their sole commonality.

The Seeds of Conflict: A Breakdown of Tensions Leading to the Indo Pak War of 1971

The Indo Pak War 1971, also known as the Bangladesh Liberation War, wasn’t a sudden eruption. It stemmed from deep-seated grievances in East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh) that festered for decades. Let’s dissect the key factors that fueled this conflict:

A Divided Nation:

• Unequal Power: Following partition in 1947, geographically distant East and West Pakistan were united under one flag. However, the Bengali majority in the East felt politically and economically marginalized by the West Pakistani elite.
• Language Barrier: Urdu, spoken by West Pakistanis, was declared the national language, creating resentment in Bengali-speaking East Pakistan. The 1952 Language Movement highlighted these cultural differences.

Political and Economic Disparity:

• Marginalized East: West Pakistan dominated the government and controlled economic resources. Industrial development was concentrated in the West, leaving East Pakistan largely agrarian and neglected.
• Democratic Frustration: East Pakistanis felt their voices were unheard. Growing discontent with the central government manifested in riots (1964) and mass protests (1969).

Escalating Tensions (1966-1971):

• Six Points of Autonomy (1966): The Awami League, a Bengali nationalist party led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, demanded greater autonomy for East Pakistan through its Six Points. This proposal alarmed the West Pakistani leadership.
• Military Crackdown (March 1971): Fearing Bengali secession, President Yahya Khan ordered a brutal military operation, “Operation Searchlight,” to suppress Bengali dissent. Intellectuals and civilians were targeted, sparking outrage.
• Bengali Resistance: In response to the crackdown, the “Mukti Bahini” guerilla force emerged to fight for Bengali independence. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence in exile.

India’s Involvement:

• Refugee Crisis: The military action forced millions of Bengalis to flee to India, creating a massive humanitarian crisis. This internationalized the conflict, garnering sympathy for the Bengali cause.
• Strategic Concerns: India, burdened by the refugees and fearing spillover of the conflict, began supporting the Mukti Bahini and prepared for military action against Pakistan.

By December 1971, with the backing of Bengali freedom fighters, India launched a full-scale military operation against Pakistan. The swift Indian victory led to the surrender of Pakistani forces in East Pakistan and the birth of Bangladesh.

The Indo Pak War 1971 wasn’t just a military conflict; it was the culmination of decades of political, economic, and cultural tensions. Although the war itself was short-lived, its legacy continues to shape the relationship between India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

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Timeline of the Indo Pak War 1971

Date	Event
December 3	Operation Chengiz Khan: Pakistan Air Force airstrikes on Indian airfields (Amritsar, Pathankot, Srinagar, etc.)
December 3-6	Indian Air Force retaliatory strikes on Pakistan air bases in both Western and Eastern sectors
December 4	Battle of Longewala in Rajasthan halts Pakistani advances towards Jaisalmer
December 5	Battles of Ghazipur (East Pakistan) and Basantar (Punjab near Sialkot)
December 6	India formally acknowledges Bangladesh’s independence, liberating Jessore
December 7	Battle of Sylhet and Moulovi Bazaar in Bangladesh
December 8	Operation Trident: Indian Navy attacks Karachi, Pakistan’s port city
December 9	Battle of Kushtia in Bangladesh; Indian troops liberate Chandpur and Daudkandi
December 10	Indian Air Force targets Chittagong airbase in Bangladesh
December 11	Tangail airdrop cuts off retreating Pakistani troops in Bangladesh
December 12-16	Indian forces advance to Dhaka and enter the city
December 16	Lt Gen AAK Niazi signs instrument of surrender; 93,000 Pakistani troops lay down arms in Bangladesh
Post-Conflict	Mujibur Rahman becomes first Prime Minister of Bangladesh
July 2, 1972	Shimla Agreement signed between India and Pakistan, recognizing LoC, repatriating PoWs, and addressing Kashmir

Major Battles and Campaigns of Indo Pak War 1971

Battle Of Bhuj

• On 8th December 1971, Pakistan attempted to capture the Indian Air Force base at Bhuj in Kutch, Gujarat.
• The Pakistani army dropped fourteen bombs on the airstrip.
• This bombing caused severe damage, making it impossible for planes to take off from the airbase.
• The border security forces faced a shortage of laborers to repair the runway.
• Nearly 300 people, mainly women from Madhapur village, stepped in to expedite the repair process.
• After four days of rigorous hard work, both day and night, the airstrip was rebuilt.
• As a result, planes were able to take off safely once again.

Military strategies

• The Indian Military fought simultaneously on the western and eastern fronts, leading to the division of resources in the Pakistani army.
• The Blitzkrieg strategy was implemented in the East, where the Indian military took help from Mukti Bahini and captured important cities as early as possible.
• Several air operations were carried out to secure the skies by the Indian Air Force.

Vijay Diwas 1971

• Vijay Diwas is celebrated in India on December 16th to honor the heroes of the 1971 war.
• It marks the victory of India and the surrender of Pakistan in the Indo-Pak War of 1971, leading to the birth of Bangladesh.
• The day is a symbol of national pride for India and Bangladesh.
• Military parades and cultural celebrations are held across India to honor the sacrifices of Indian soldiers.

Heroes of the Indo Pak War 1971

• R.N. Rao – The then chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) played a backstage role in training over 1 lakh people from East Pakistan with the help of the Indian Army. He had exceptional knowledge regarding the situation in East Pakistan two years ago when he predicted the partition of Pakistan.
• Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora – He was the commander of India-Bangladesh Joint forces during the war. His contributions were crucial to the surrender of Pakistan army forces in Dhaka. He is celebrated and recognized in India for his acts of valor.
• Flight Lieutenant Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon – The only Air Force officer awarded the Param Vir Chakra. He showcased exceptional bravery, courage, valor, and determination in defending the Bhuj Air Base despite a lack of help.
• Sam Manekshaw – The Army chief played the most crucial role in delivering victory to India in the 1971 War. He ensured that Bangladeshis were excellently trained under the guidance of the RAW. He planned and executed the military operations on the West and East fronts. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan for his irreplaceable contribution to the 1971 war.

End of the Indo Pak War 1971

After the Indo-Pak War war concluded, Ceasefire agreements were made. The war officially ended when A.A.K Niazi, Lieutenant General of Pakistan forces, signed a document, and both sides agreed to stop firing at each other. After the Pakistani Forces surrendered, Pakistan lost its decision-making power over Bangladesh.

On the Western front, the ceasefire agreement was arranged by the US and Soviet Union acting as intermediaries with the United Nations taking control. These superpowers intervening in the war led Pakistan to get ready to take a step back.

• The aftermath of the war had both positive and negative aspects. Bangladesh obtained its much-desired independence and remains indebted to India to date.
• Tensions and conflicts between India and Pakistan increased, leading to their deteriorated relations over time.
• India emerged as a regional power in the South Asian zone.
• The geopolitical map changed with the creation of a new country.
• Rehabilitation of refugees and reconstruction of war-affected regions was done.

The Indo Pak War 1971 stands as a powerful example of the struggle for freedom and independence. Vijay Diwas in India and Victory Day in Bangladesh honor the sacrifices of our dedicated soldiers. Reflecting on this war evokes deep emotions and respect.

How did the Indo Pak War 1971 shape today’s India-Bangladesh relations?

• The Indo Pak War 1971 led to the liberation of Bangladesh, establishing a friendly neighbor on India’s eastern front.
• Bangladesh is India’s largest trading partner in South Asia and one of the fastest-growing economies, offering significant investment opportunities for Indian firms.
• The country plays a crucial role in India’s connectivity and peace efforts in the northeastern states.
• Recently, India inaugurated the Maitri Setu Bridge, connecting Sabroom in India to Ramgargh in Bangladesh across the Feni River at the Tripura-Bangladesh border.
• In 2021, Bangabandhu Mujibur Rahman received the Gandhi Peace Prize.
• Bangladesh was a special invitee to India’s 75th Independence Day celebrations.
• President Kovind participated in the Victory Day celebrations in Bangladesh.
• The country commemorated 50 years of victory in the 1971 war for independence by hosting a military parade, with India’s president as the guest of honor.
• Given its special place in India’s neighborhood-first policy, the India-Bangladesh relationship remains crucial in the current geopolitical scenario.

Simla Agreement, 1972

• The Simla Agreement was signed on July 2, 1972, between Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
• The agreement aimed to address the aftermath of the 1971 war and establish a framework for improved relations between India and Pakistan.
• It went beyond a simple peace treaty and laid out a comprehensive plan for fostering good neighborly relations.
• The agreement emphasized several guiding principles, including respect for territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, unity, political independence, and sovereign equality.
• Both countries committed to resolving conflicts through peaceful means and avoiding military escalation.
• The Simla Agreement underscored the inviolability of the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, viewing it as a crucial confidence-building measure (CBM) between the two nations.
• The Simla Agreement played a pivotal role in shaping India-Pakistan relations by emphasizing dialogue, cooperation, and peaceful dispute resolution.

Impact of the Indo Pak War 1971

• Impact on civilians: The war led to a breach of human rights, atrocities on innocent people, and mass killings and rapes happened beyond control.

• Refugee Immigration to India: People from East Pakistan fled to India to save their lives and overcome violence. India failed to provide necessities to them, like shelter, food, and medical services, as the number of refugees was very high.

• Support from Indian organizations: Various support organizations and India provided humanitarian assistance to the Bangladeshi Population. One of the major reasons India joined and supported the freedom movement was to safeguard innocent people from the wild atrocities happening against them.

Frequently Asked Questions: Indo Pak War 1971