71 Dash to Dhaka

GD Bakshi

The 1971 war for the Liberation of Bangladesh was a landmark conflict in the history of South Asia. It dramatically changed the map of this region and marked a historical revival of Indian military power. In just 13 glorious and action packed days – three Indian corps sized spear heads raced for the capital city of Dacca. It was located in the most defensible, riverine terrain in the world. Yet the Indian Blitzkrieg bounced the wide rivers using Helicopters and Paradrops to speed up operations and paralyse the enemy command centre with precision air attacks. The India Air Force generated shock and awe over the battlefields of Bangladesh. Like an expanding torrent of water, the Indian Army bypassed all major centres of opposition in its race for Dacca. Meanwhile the Indian Navy blockaded East and West Pakistan and cut off the two wings of the country. Thus in 13 nail biting days the Indian forces marched on an enemy capital, enforced regime change and induced the largest mass surrender of forces. These were decisive results. This despite the American Seventh Fleet – led by the US aircraft carrier Enterprise, making menacing moves in the bay of Bengal. This is the behind the scenes account of that war – how the critical decisions were arrived at – what major risks were taken and the superb planning and coordination between all organs of the Indian state – political, military, diplomatic and intelligence. It was India’s finest hour. It unconsciously revived the Kautiliyan paradigm of war-fighting.

GD Bakshi Maj Gen (Dr) G D Bakshi is a combat veteran with considerable experience in Kargil, Kishtwar and Rajouri sectors of J&K. He is a renowned military historian and a prolific writer who has written over 35 books. He is India’s most popular commentator on TV on matters of military.

Contents

Preface ix

Prologue: The Bangladesh War: Revival of an Indian Paradigm of War Fighting

1. Years of the Vulture
2. Operation Searchlight: The Blood Telegram
3. The Cynical View from Washington
4. Crisis Management: The Sage Counsel of Sam
5. Operations of the Mukti Bahini: Stretching the Pakistani Eastern Command
6. Niazi’s Plans of A Forward Defence
7. A Band of Brothers
8. Generating Synergy and Setting the Stage
9. Formulation of War Plans: The Centre of Gravity Controversy
10. Safeguarding the Flanks: Friendship Treaty with the Soviet Union
11. The Lurch Towards War
12. Personal Narratives: The Intersection of Collective and Personal Destinies
13. War Breaks Out: The Preemptive Strike of the ‘Fiza Ya’
14. Air Bridge to Dacca: A Guderian in 4 Corps
15. Trump Card at Tangail
16. Striking the Core: Inside Out Attack on the Governor’s House
17. Negotiations for Surrender
18. The Jacob-Niazi Dialogue: A Historic Surrender
19. The Conundrum: Chinese Non-Intervention
20. The Just War Paradigm: Return to an Indian Way of War Fighting
Bibliography