14-Days 1971 War - Distorted History?
Article by G B Reddy Sir
Is the 1971 Liberation War of East Pakistan (present day Bangladesh) a 14-day war ((from 3 December 1971 to the fall of Dacca (Dhaka) on 16 December 1971)?
Why hide the truth even after 52 years? Never too late to cover the events accurately! Exhaustive coverage is available in the public domain. Pakistan’s Hamdur Rehman Commission stated in its report “…on the 21st of Nov 1971 when the Indian troops had crossed the East Pakistan borders in naked aggression.” The Pakistan Authors books include: ‘The 1971 Indo-Pak War - A Soldier's Narrative” by Major General Hakeem Arshad Qureshi, "The Betrayal of East Pakistan” by Lt Gen A.A.K. Niazi, “How Pakistan Got Divided” by Major General Rao Farman Ali Khan, and “A stranger in my own country EAST PAKISTAN 1969-71” by Major General Khuddam Hussain Raja, 14 General Officer Commanding, 14 Infantry Division”.
Furthermore, there are many articles available in the public domain, although inaccurate, covering the Battles of Boyra and Garibpur (21-22 November 1971). Detailed accounts are also available in the war diaries of the Indian formations/units that participated in the Liberation of Bangladesh. Why deny credit to those who sacrificed their lives?
Why are the Indian authorities still not declassifying the real historical account of battles even after 50-years when the Defense Minister in June 2021 specified a 25-years timeline for declassification of classified material.
Irrefutably, it was 36/37-Day war for the 350 Infantry Brigade (9 Infantry Division) - the war started on 11/12 November and ended only on 17 December 1971 with the surrender of Pakistan's 107 Infantry Brigade at Khulna. Ipso facto, there were many gallant actions fought well before 3 December 1971 that forced Pakistan to launch preemptive airstrikes as a precursor to full blown out war in both the Western and Eastern Theaters.
As Brigade Major (Operations Executive Officer) of 350 Infantry Brigade, responsible for the conduct of battles in JESSORE-KHULNA Sectors, let me highlight that the main operation by 1 JAK RIF was launched across the border to capture Pakistan’s MASLAI BOP (Boyra) supported by suppressive indirect artillery fire and direct fire from 106/57 mm recoilless guns in bunker bursting role and medium machine guns fire. At the last moment, the 1 JAK Rif was ordered to execute INVEST operations as per higher directions. Pakistan troops launched attacks to evict 1 JAK Rif from the area which was successfully repulsed.
The Time Magazine of November 1971 had most aptly summed up the battle: “an embarrassing victory for India at BAYRA.”
Meanwhile, by 15 November 1971, 4 SIKH was deployed NORTH of Boyra salient to provide flank security to 1 JAKRIF and to invest the BARNI BOP in the North. Also, orders to enlarge the bridge head across River Kabadak were received with a view to build up armor and artillery deployment to support attack on “JESSORE FORTRESS”. On the night of 18/19 November 1971, 268 Engineer Regiment constructed the “Krupman Bridge” over River Kabadak.
The first Pakistani air strike by 4 x F86 Saber fighters took place at 10.50 A.M. on 19 November 1971. They destroyed one pontoon of the bridge before GNATS from KALAIKONDA air base scrambled could appear on the scene. Subsequently, one flight of Gnats was deployed in the forward air base at Dum Dum.
On 20 November, on receipt of information of withdrawal of Pakistan troops from MASLIA and BARNI BOPs, Orders were issued to 4 SIKH and Squadron 63 CAV to advance immediately towards CHAUGACHA and 1 JAK RIF was asked to pursue withdrawing troops West of River Kabadak simultaneously.
What followed thereafter is covered in public domain as “the Battle of Garibpur.” On the night of 19/20 November 1971, was inducted and deployed ahead in general area GARIBPUR supported by C Squadron 45 CAV wading through River Kabadak in support of 14 Punjab firm base. During the night 20/21 November 1971, reports of enemy build up were received. At about midnight, it was reported that 9 tanks with full lights were seen moving from Jessore and subsequently another column of tanks were reported to have moved from Chaugacha to this area.
On the morning of 21 November 1971, Pakistan’s 107 Infantry Brigade launched a counter attack with 3 Independent Armored Squadron rushing headlong into our deployed troops. After a fierce 30 minutes engagement Pakistan lost 10 tanks and the crews abandoned three tanks. The sole remaining tank retreated.
45 CAV initially lost two tanks in the encounter at Garibpur and followed later by two more tanks during engagements. And the Battle of Garibpur became known as the “Grave Yard of Tanks”. The destroyed Pakistani tanks were recovered and moved inside Boyra Bulge. Jagjivan Ram, Defense Minister, addressed troops congratulating them for their valor (picture was featured in media).
Air Battles over Boyra
On two occasions, Pakistani F-86s carried out ground attacks in the Boyra sector. In the first attack at 1050 hours on 19 November, a flight of four F-86s attacked the bridge and destroyed one pontoon. Pilot Officer Imarti as the Forward Air Controller called for counter air support, but the Gnats based at Kalaikonda appeared overhead after the F-86s were on their return. Since the IAF was forbidden to cross the border, they did not pursue and engage hostile enemy aircraft over the air space inside East Pakistan. Subsequently, one flight of Gnats was deployed in the forward air base at Dum Dum to reduce the response time to bare minimum.
In the second attack at 1450 hours on 22 November, four Pakistan fighters returned to engage forces deployed in lodgment areas across the border. The flight of Gnats at Dum Dum was scrambled and appeared over Boyra as the Pakistan fighters were dive bombing troops on ground. In less than a few minutes, Gnats appeared on the tail of hostile aircraft and destroyed them. Flight Lieutenant Parvaiz Mehdi Qureshi, who later served as the PAF Chief of Air Staff from 1997 to 2000 and led the PAF during the 1999 Kargil War, was captured by 4 SIKH.
The Operations that followed culminated in the surrender of Pakistan’s 107 Infantry Brigade at KHULNA on 17 December 1971 after fierce attacks in urban areas.
To sum up, the 1971 War with Pakistan, particularly in the Eastern Theatre was not a 14-Day war but a 35-36 days war. With the 25-years timeline for declassification of classified material specified, never too late compile accurate timeline and the Battles that were fought in the Eastern Theater from various situation reports and war diaries of formations and units.
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