Vijay Diwas, observed every year on 16 December, marks one of India’s most decisive military victories. The Indo-Pak War of 1971 is remembered not only as a testament to India’s military prowess but also for its humanitarian intervention to liberate millions of oppressed people in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.
The seeds of the conflict were sown in March 1971 when the Pakistan Army launched Operation Searchlight, a brutal crackdown on the Bengali population of East Pakistan. The operation was aimed at suppressing the demand for autonomy led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Awami League, which had won a majority in Pakistan’s national elections. What followed was a catastrophic humanitarian crisis—mass killings, and the displacement of millions.
Over 10 million refugees fled to India, particularly to the eastern states of West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura, creating an enormous strain on resources. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, India undertook meticulous planning for the liberation of East Pakistan. The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force coordinated one of the most well-executed campaigns in military history.
On 3 December 1971, Pakistan launched preemptive airstrikes on Indian airfields, prompting India to declare war. Over the next 13 days, Indian forces, in collaboration with the Mukti Bahini (Bengali freedom fighters), launched a multi-pronged assault.
The Indian Navy enforced a blockade, cutting off supplies to the eastern region, while the Air Force gained air superiority. On the ground, Indian troops advanced rapidly, capturing strategic locations and dismantling Pakistan’s defenses.
The Surrender and Birth of Bangladesh
On 16 December 1971, Lt. Gen. A.A.K. Niazi of the Pakistan Army signed the Instrument of Surrender in Dhaka, marking the end of the war. Over 93,000 Pakistani soldiers were taken as prisoners of war, the largest surrender since World War II. The day also marked the birth of Bangladesh. India’s intervention was not merely a military operation but a humanitarian effort to rescue millions from oppression.
