Today the 16th of December is affixed in Indian memories as “Vijay Diwas”, dating back to 1971 on the same day as today when Indian forces emerged victorious in the ongoing Indo-Pak War.
Today we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the victorious forces who bravely gave the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty; the day is celebrated with a lot of zeal & enormous pride across the entire country.
During the 1971 ongoing war with Pakistan, Indian forces faced a loss of 3900 soldiers who laid down their lives in the course of duty, while the wounded soldiers were around 9800.
This day in the history of Indian battles narrates a story of unwavering courage, gallantry by the bravest sons of India.
Vijay Diwas is given the status of a National Holiday, 93000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered at the end of the war, East Pakistan is now known as Bangladesh gaining Independence.
The Pakistani Army commander Lt. Gen. AAK Niazi surrendered to India’s Eastern Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Arora; the Pakistani commander accepted the documents of surrender on the evening of December 16th 1971. Hence the day was earmarked as “Vijay Diwas”.
On December 16, 1971, at 4.30 PM, the Eastern Commander of the Indian Army arrived at Dhaka Airport in an IAF Helicopter; both Lt. Gen. Niazi & Lt. Gen. Arora sat across each other at a table to sign the document of surrender.
Lt. Gen. Niazi surrendered his revolver to Lt. Gen. Arora, symbolising the total defeat of Pakistan in the 1971 Indo-Pak war; the local population who had suffered greatly at the hands of the Pakistani army were going to murder Lt.Gen.Niazi, who was successfully removed from the scene by the Indian Army Military Commanders.
The then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was conducting a television interview at her Parliament House Office when she was notified by General Manekshaw about the absolutely stunning Indian Victory.
PM Indira Gandhi declared in the Lok Sabha that India had won the ongoing 1971 Indo-Pak War leaving the entire house erupting in Joy as soon as the declaration was made.
The entire country celebrated with enormous vigour & zeal, while the people of East Pakistan also celebrated their newly gained Independence from the Government of Pakistan.