Pakistan Cut to Size

On Dec 16^th, India celebrated the Swarnim Jayanti of Bangladesh Liberation war. The mere thought of the magnitude of victory of the 1971 Bangladesh War brings a glint of pride in every Indian’s eye. The unparalleled dominance of India in the war has been extensively studied, commented and reviewed. Every book on this war, brings a new perspective with it and adds to the existing pool of understanding about this war which has partitioned Pakistan. The book, “Pakistan cut to Size” by veteran war correspondent D. R. Manekar published in 1972 brings to fore the seamless coordination and cooperation between the different arms of Indian Defence force and delves into the contributions of the BSF, a six year old force then. Calling it the “Fourth Element”, the author talks about the crucial role played by the Border Security Force.

With impeccable brevity and eloquence, the author vividly portrays and rightly acknowledges the contributions of each and every ministry and department that has been instrumental in taking India an inch closer to a triumphant resurgence and ferocity. In line with the byline of the title of the book, “the authentic story of the 14-day Indo-Pak war”, the author lays emphasis on the pre-emptive strikes of Pakistan planned along the lines of Israel’s all out attack on Egypt. Israel’s complete annihilation of the Egyptian air power was the turning point which gave Israel a huge advantage. Replicating the same strategy, on Dec 3rd Pakistan launched a surprise attack on Indian airbases- Amritsar, Agra, Ambala, Awantipur, Bikaner, Halwara, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Pathankot, Burj, Srinagar, and Uttarlai under the Operation Chengiz Khan on and sounded the bugle.

But to the ignominy of Pakistan, which aimed to decimate Indian air power with the attack, Indian forces which have thoroughly studied the Israeli war tactics, managed to minimize the damage. Warranted by this provocation, Indian government ordered forces to cross the Eastern border and enter the East Bengal. Notwithstanding the initial provocation, Pakistan desperately tried to sell the idea of India as the aggressor at the UN. India demolished this false propaganda furnishing irrefutable evidence. Indeed, to escalate tension, prior to surprise attacks on the western frontier Pakistan jets attacked the Agartala base.

To avert military intervention by India in East Bengal, Pakistan’s Yayha Khan wanted to precipitate the issue at the UN. Accusing India of aggression amid the rising tide of guerilla activity in East Bengal, he wanted to demand a status quo. Backed by the US and China, Khan believed he could easily corner India. Russia exercised three vetoes throughout the episode of Pakistan’s oppression of East Bengal and repulsed Pakistan’s nefarious agenda.

As against the popular perception of India dismembering Pakistan, Yayha Khan masterminded the partition by rejecting people’s verdict and through naked tyranny. Undermining the legitimacy of a democratic elections, Khan arrested, imprisoned Sheikh Mujibhur Rahman and ruthlessly unleased force on Bengalis. To escaping the depredations of the oppressor army, Bengalis started seeking refuge in India. The trickle of Bengali migration over a period of times turned into an unending stream which in absolute numbers reached 10 million by November 1971. Piled up Bengali refugees posed a huge threat to the precarious economic situation of India and its socio-religious fabric.

Reeling under this tremendous burden, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi made a fervent appeal to the World Chancelleries. Instead of lending a sympathetic ear to Indian woes, World leaders attributed diabolical motives to India championing of Bangladesh cause. The response of cynics in the West has been, “but, why did you allow so many to come to your country? You could have stopped them at the border?” writes the author.

Even as Pakistan’s invading forces heaped unspeakable brutalities on Bangladesh, World leaders chose to side with Islamabad. As if vindicating Pakistan’s position, in May 1971, Henry Kissinger flew to Peking from Islamabad underlining a close collusion with China and Pakistan against India.

In response, India sealed a friendship treaty with Soviet Union on Aug 9^th with the article 9 of the treaty providing for consultation between the countries in case of war. On 23^rd October, as a last-ditch effort, Indira Gandhi made a world tour to seven Western capital cities only to be meted with indifference and apathy. Inexorably reiterating India’s position on Bangladesh, in an interview on Nov 2^nd, Mrs Gandhi said, “We in India are determined that we are not going to be saddled with another country’s problem. All refugees must go back”.

Finally on December 2^nd, declaring India’s resoluteness and refusal to yield to Pakistan’s game plan and in an apparent dig at the US, Mrs Gandhi stated, “Times have changed during the last five years. If any country thinks that by calling us aggressors it can pressurize us to forget our national interests then that country is living in its own paradise and it is welcome to it. Times have passed when any nation sitting 3000 to 4000 miles away could give orders to Indians on the basis of their colour superiority to do as they wished. India has changed and she is no more country of slaves. Today we will do what is best in our national interest and not what these so-called big nations would like us to do”.

Indeed, consolidating power in East Pakistan has been a pretext. Yayha Khan wanted to carve off Kashmir from India and deployed troops on Oct 12^th on the West and stoked tensions on the Western frontier. Around the same time, General AAK Niazi sealed the border of East Bengal and unleashed severe crackdown to cow down the Bengalis. This repression has intensified the resolve of Mukti Bahinis to launch guerilla attacks. They not only disrupted the communication system but shot down a Pakistan jet and sank two Pakistan warships.  By November they controlled a quarter of Bangladesh.

In the meanwhile, China declared support to Pakistan in any hostilities and inaugurated heavy machinery complex at Taxila. The nine-month period from March to December gave Indian Army time to perfectly plan and execute a strategy that gave them upper hand on both the eastern and western front. The liberation war with Pakistan in East Bengal has been a real test to Indian courage and perseverance. Recalled as “Battle of Obstacles” with a river every six miles, the army engineers emerged as the key to India’s forward movement. Engineers build pontoon bridges, put together baily and constructed long roads in matter of few hours making this an “Engineers War” as well.

India made quick gains, Navy and Airforce sealed off the East Bengal from West Pakistan and rest of the World by bombing off the runway and sinking four Pakistan war ships. Besides dispatching America’s gifted Ghazi submarine to the bottom of the seabed, Indian Navy and Airforce destroyed nearly 50% of Pakistan’s oil reserves and vanquished the Pakistan navy. Doggedly pursuing its target, India announced the recognition of Bangladesh in Parliament on Dec 6^th which is now celebrated as Maitri Diwas.

Opposing India’s move Pakistan immediately severed ties with India and US suspended $87 million economic aid. Defying the expectations of Pakistan which anticipated Indian attack along the highways, Indian forces stunned them by attacking from Tripura and travelling through the dirt tracks, marsh lands and rice fields. Paradropping troops by helicopters India extended its dominance on all the fronts- air, land and water. By Dec 10^th Major General Farman Ali Khan sent out a five-point plan for ceasefire and evacuation of West Pakistan civilians to the UN. But Yahya Khan countermanded the request on Dec 11^th. By Dec 14^th East Pakistan governor Dr AM Malin tendered his resignation.

Delaying Niazi’s appeals for ceasefire, Yahya Khan enjoined him to prevail expecting a bail out from America and China. Engulfed by Indian forces, ceding to General Mankeshaw’s surrender option, Gen AAK Niazi signed surrender papers on Dec 16^th at around 4:30 pm in presence of Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora.

Pinning high hopes of trouncing Indian forces along the western frontier Yayha Khan amassed massive deployments along the border. While Pakistan gained the control of Chhamb close to Kashmir, India almost occupied 830 sq miles close to Shakargarh, south of Chhamb. By Dec 16^th, India was possession of 3000 sq miles of West Pakistan while Islamabad held 50 sq miles of Indian territory.

Aside the comprehensive overview of the geopolitical power play during the war, the book gives an account of invaluable role played by the three arms of Indian Defence, highlights the role of BSF in training the Mukti Yodhas, offering much needed succor to Bengali freedom fighters and serving as link between them and Indian sympathisers.

The author provides a brief account of the Mukti Bahini and other arms which has allied with Mukti Bahini for liberation of Bangladesh. Being a war correspondent, the book refers to various citations of World media agencies, their coverage and sheds light on Anderson paper which disclosed that President Nixon had no compunction to conclude that India was the guilty party. Indeed, US delayed Niazi’s message offering to ceasefire by 20 hours to Delhi. Underscoring American bigotry, author cites US Ambassador Mr. Kenneth Keating’s warning that if India did not, “cease aid to dissidents in East Pakistan, Pakistan would attack from the West”.

The book also enlists the ammunition and weapons provided by the West to Pakistan and tears into the dubious idealism of America, which proclaims to stand for democracy and liberty but conniving against India that stood up for these causes.

Pakistan deems every war with India as jehad. Even as World refuses to endorse this, Pakistan’s radio and television whipped up this hysteria. Creating a bizarre air of unreality, throughout the war, Pakistani army claimed that they were winning and they insisted that there were no losses whatsoever and reasoning, “in the pursuit of jehad, nobody dies. He lives forever!”

With its objectivity and frankness while India earned praise, disjointed statements and theatrical performance of Pakistan exposed its juvenility. Above all, by calling Mrs Gandhi as “that woman” and stating, “she is neither statesman or woman” Yayha Khan shocked the international community with his crude abuse and crass remarks.

Finally, by pulling troops by March 25^th 1972, India reaped the aplomb of the world by rightly standing for values. Covering much ground, this book provides a basic understanding about the 1971 Liberation War.

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