Vijay Diwas 2021: What Happened On December 16, 1971 That Led To Formation Of Bangladesh

The 1971 India-Pakistan War culminated on this day 50 years ago as East Pakistan ceased to exist. This day is remembered for the bravery of Indian and Bangladeshi troops.

In this Dec. 16, 1971, file photo, Pakistan’s Gen. Niazi, second from left, signs the surrender document as chief of India’s Eastern command Gen. Aurora, left, looks on surrounded by other commanders. | Image Courtesy: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's Twitter [ @rajnathsingh ]

New Delhi: India celebrates December 16 as Vijay Diwas to commemorate its victory over Pakistan during the 1971 war that led to the birth of Bangladesh. The day is also observed in Bangladesh as 'Bijoy Dibos'.

The 1971 India-Pakistan War culminated on this day 50 years ago as East Pakistan ceased to exist. This day is remembered for the bravery of Indian and Bangladeshi troops.

The thirteen-day war resulted in the Pakistan army surrendering before India with around 93,000 soldiers.

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The conflict erupted in Pakistan after an East Pakistani party, the Awami League, won the elections. Following this,  the Pakistani army began the barbaric slaughter of Bengali and Hindu residents of East Pakistan.

The exact figure of deaths is unknown but is estimated to be between 3 to 5 million. To seek refuge and to save their lives, about 8 to 10 million people moved to India.

The then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi had tried to seek international intervention but the situation called for urgency. The war started when Pakistan launched airstrikes on 11 of India's air bases.

Indira Gandhi ordered then Army Chief General Sam Manekshaw to launch a full-throttle war against Pakistan.

India, along with the forces of Mukti Bahini (freedom fighters), captured around 15,010 kilometers of Pakistan's territory. This was also the first time when all three Indian forces fought together.

The war ended with Pakistani General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93,000 troops, surrendering to India and signing the Instrument of Surrender on 16 December 1971 in Dhaka.

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This also ended the Bangladesh Liberation War, which had started in March 1971, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. About 3,800 soldiers from both countries lost their lives.

On August 2, 1972, India and Pakistan signed the Shimla Agreement under which the former agreed to release all the 93,000 Pakistani prisoners of war.