It’s December 15 today, the day before our Victory Day. On this day in 1971, our fate was almost determined and it became certain that Pakistanis have no choice but to surrender to freedom fighters and Indian forces.
But there was no clear direction from Pakistani regiment in this regard. The then Pakistani army chief sent a message to Gen AH Khan Niazi.
“I saw the message you sent to the president. You’re free to take own decision but I’d suggest that you accept the conditions set by the Indian forces,” the army chief said.
Considering General Niazi’s ceasefire proposal, the allied force declare to stop air attacks on Dhaka from 5:00am. Besides, the allied force also tell the Pakistan army that no truce would take place before the military surrenders. “If the Pakistan army does not surrender within 9:00am on December 16, then the air attack will resume,” they say.
With the help of Indian Navy, 20 frigates of Soviet Union entered the Indian Ocean. This caused the US seventh fleet to change its direction.
A Polish resolution at the UNSC called for an immediate ceasefire and troops withdrawals. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Pakistan's foreign minister, tore up his copy of the resolution, denounced the United Nations and stormed out of the session.
This was a crucial moment as the Soviets, weary of intense international pressure, had indicated that they might not be able to veto again in future and that India must finish the work before any more move at the UN.
Bhutto, his hands jerking in front of him like those of a marionette, fumed at the UN.
The Council met twice again in the evening where the Chinese and Soviet delegates were the main speakers. They bitterly accused each other of playing power politics.
In the second session, the delegates from Britain and France introduced a joint proposal calling for a ceasefire and for a comprehensive political settlement between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Soviet Union also introduced a resolution calling for a cease-fire and a “simultaneous” political settlement.
It was evident that Dhaka's fall was imminent and that the Soviets were buying time on India's behalf.
The Council adjourned around midnight without a vote until “tomorrow” (December 16).
On December 15, Pakistani troops start surrendering their weapons in the battlefields. Pakistani division and brigade HQ in Bogra fall within the afternoon. 1,700 Pakistani personnel surrender. The allied force recover huge amount of arms and ammunition.
In the afternoon, the allied force enter Savar without resistance. Pakistan troops retreat and ambush them at the entrance of Dhaka on Mirpur Bridge.
The allied force advance towards Dhaka from Savar in the night. Kaderia Bahini join them on the way. They confront the Pakistan troops at the Mirpur Bridge. The allied force conduct a commando style attack in the first phase. Pakistan troops keep firing from the other side of the bridge. Another group of the allied force attack them from the west bank. A ferocious fight take place all day long.
In the battlefield of Chittagong, Mukti Bahini free few more regions south to Kumira. In the evening, the freedom fighters attack Vatiari, the first protective defence region of Chittagong city. The skirmish spread out till Fauzdarhat.
The allied force advance towards Rangpur. They cordon the town. They schedule to attack the Rangpur cantonment the next day. But that was not necessary as the Pakistan troops already surrendered.
The allied force attack on Kamarkhali Pakistan army base in Faridpur region. The military start to retreat towards Faridpur town. The allied force chase and corner them. The military, led by a Pakistani major general, eventually surrender.
We have been publishing the series called Liberation Diary focusing on the country’s 1971 struggle for freedom by collecting information from various sources. Other than the website, the reports can also be found on the YouTube channel of thereport.live.
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