The Triumph of Vijay Diwas History of Dec -16th
Introduction
Vijay Diwas
Every year on December 16, people celebrate Vijay Diwas, a day set aside to remember the warriors who gave their lives defending their country and to commemorate the triumph of the Indian armed forces over Pakistan in the 1971 war. On December 16, 1971, India emerged victorious against Pakistan after a 13-day conflict, resulting in the division of the former East Pakistan into Bangladesh.
Vijay Diwas / Victory Day
The greatest major military surrender since World War II occurred on this historic day when 93,000 soldiers, led by General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi of Pakistan, submitted to the Indian Army and the Mukti Bahini of Bangladesh.
On this day, India remembers the sacrifices made by the armed services during the conflict in 1971. Bangladesh observes December 16 as Victory Day, or “Bijoy Dibos.”
History Of Vijay Diwas
The genocide against the people of East Pakistan committed by the repressive Pakistani military administration under General Yahya Khan catalyzed the 1971 war. When the Awami League, under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won the 1970 elections, the violence broke out. Following the elections, a large-scale migration out of East Pakistan was caused by the Pakistani military’s use of force to rig the results. India took action at this crucial juncture.
Indira Gandhi, who was India’s prime minister at the time, offered sanctuary to those who had run across the border. When Pakistan began attacking eleven Indian air sites on December 3, 1971, the situation worsened and Indira Gandhi was forced to give General Sam Manekshaw, the head of India’s Army, the order to declare open warfare against Pakistan.
India backed nationalist organizations in Bangladesh and carried out ‘Operation Trident,’ spearheaded by the Indian Navy, to hit the Karachi Port. Following a fierce 13-day battle, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi of Pakistan signed the Instrument of Surrender and surrendered along with 93,000 Pakistani forces, declaring India the winner.
