Indo-Pak War in 1971.

We will discuss and analyse about the 1971 Indo-Pak war after which a new state got formed - "Bangladesh". This war is also called as "Bangladesh Liberation War".

Let us first understand how exactly did Pakistan looked before this war (Have a look at the map). Pakistan had 2 parts, first is the western part (West Pakistan) where their capital, Islamabad was situated and the second part is the eastern part (East Pakistan) which is today's Bangladesh. The people of western part was the dominating force in the administration and defence. The west pakistan had a superiority complex. East Pakistan had a different culture, language(Bangali) from the West Pakistan, the only thing common they had was religion (religion was the main driving force for Jinnah to form Pakistan seperating from India). East Pakistan was poor and backwards than the Western part.

Events before the War

1970-1971 --> Pakistan faced a civil war, where the country's populous eastern part was controlled by civil and defence personnel from the western region officials who had no regard for the Bangla language, customs and heritage.

In 1970 --> The Awami League under Sheikh Mujibur Rehman won 169 out of 313 parliamentary seats in Pakistan, but he denied the office of PM. In fact, Pakistan's military dictator general, Yahya Khan arrested Mujib and imposed martial law on East Pakistan. 

25 March, 1971 --> Operation Searchlight

▪In this operation by Yahya Khan, his armed led by General Tikka Khan killed 3,000,000 Bangalis in East Pakistan.

▪"Kill 3 million of them, the rest will eat out of our hands" - Yahya Khan

After this operation, many Pakistani Bangalis migrated to India and settled as refugees.( Huge refugee crisis in India)

The Indian PM at that time Indira Gandhi decided to maintain diplomatic silence on this issue and she tried to earn international support. No much support came from the west and US on such a huge refugee crisis. But India's all weather "USSR" came to help her.

21 Aug, 1971 --> Indo-Soviet Treaty signed.

(If either of the country is attacked, the other will help it) -> Military provision

India's Chief of Arny Staff at that time was General Sam Manekshaw, who led India in this War.

India stationed its aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant at Bay of Bengal close to East Pakistan's border which played a huge role in the war.

3 Dec, 1971 --> War began

4 Dec, 1971 --> Operation Trident

▪This was operation by Indian Navy in which it attacked the Karachi port of Pakistan. Karachi port burned for 7 days.

▪This was the significant part of the 1971 War because Karachi port was the main port through which West Pakistan operated.

▪This date is also celebrated as the "Indian Navy Day"

Pakistan sent its PNS Ghazi to destroy INS Vikrant stationed near East Pakistan's coast. But INS Rajput destroyed PNS Ghazi in the middle of its journey and sinked it.

Indian Army, Navy and Airforce all participated in the 1971 War.

Mukti Bahini --> Bangladeshi Guerrilla force, also played their role and were supported and provided weapons by India.

USA's role

▪US President, Richard Nixon decided to help Pakistan and US sent their US's 7th fleet with an aircraft carrier (USS Enterprise) to destroy INS Vikrant at the East Pakistan coast.

▪India got to know about the US plan from its intelligence agencies and USSR came for the help of India and USSR sent its Soviet cruiser Vladivostock which did not allowed USS Enterprise to move to East Pakistan.

16 Dec, 1971 --> 93,000 Pakistani Soldiers surrendered to India. INDIA WON AND BANGLADESH GOT LIBERATED. This day is celebrated in India as "Vijay Diwas"

In 1972, Shimla Agreement was signed between India and Pakistan.The agreement was the result of resolve of both the countries to "put an end to the conflict and confrontation that have hitherto marred their relations".

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