Islamabad - Birth of Bangladesh remains one of the most painful incidents in 74-year history of Pakistan.
On the fateful day of 16th December 1971, 34,000 Pakistani troops laid their arms in Bangladesh as a result of Indian plotted and supported conspiracy.
It was not only a military failure, but a failure on all fronts by all. The politicians failed to maintain unity among the diversified Pakistani communities, the media failed to counter the propaganda campaign of India and her allies, the diplomats failed to defend and present Pakistan’s position to the world on the political crisis of 1971.
LK Advani, BJP leader, on his blog in 2010. “In 1971 Indiraji decided to help Sheikh Mujib ur Rahman to carve out an independent Bangladesh for the Bengalis of East Pakistan... was she also simultaneously thinking of an operation in West Pakistan aimed to achieve two major objectives, namely to Balkanize West Pakistan, and to liberate Pakistan occupied Kashmir.”
Indra Gandhi - As per articles published in New York Times (4th Dec 1971 and 17th Dec 1971) - had strategised on many aspects. She gave her military generals their leeway to prepare the ‘Mukti Bahini’ in their own way and was also ready for the impending diplomatic crisis herself.
The so called “Liberation Movement”, that began with the ‘Declaration of Independence’ by the Mukti Bahini (Freedom Fighters) led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 26th March 1971.
Indian government issued a memo of support for Liberation of East Pakistan, on 28th April 1971, one month after Pakistani troops had launched ‘Operation Searchlight’ against Mukti Bahini terrorists.
The Indian military started its campaign for installation of a terrorist force in 1968. The first task was to build a network in East Pakistan. Therefore, the Indian were quick in forming a network of relationships with the Bengali political leaders and government officials in East Pakistan.
The foremost job of R&AW was installation of the Mukti Bahini. With Indian assistance the militant wing of the Awami League, later known as the Mukti Bahini, was established in July 1970.
On May 1, 1971, General SHFJ Manekshaw issued the Indian Army Operational Instruction No. 52. A structured policy to provide training facilities and logistical and operational support for the liberation of Bangladesh was prepared by Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Eastern Command.
A conference of sector commanders and other senior military officers of Mukti Bahini was held at Mujibnagar (Eight Theatre Road Kolkata) from 12 to 17 July 1971 to chalk out the strategy of operations against Pakistan Army. It was presided over by Mujeeb-appointed Bangladesh Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed. Major decisions on strategy and organisation were taken, which were vital for the Liberation War.
By the end of June 1971, battalions one, two and eight of the East Bengal Regiment (EBR) were moved to Tura in Meghalaya, reorganized and re-equipped. Similarly, EBR three and four, located in Tripura, were also reorganized and re-equipped.
In September, three more infantry battalions of EBR were raised and by the end of November 1971, 11 infantry battalions were fully equipped and ready for operations.
By the end of November 1971, 83,000 ‘freedom fighters’ had completed their training, out of which 51,000 were operating inside Bangladesh. In addition, 10,000 strong Mujib Bahini cadres were trained under the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in India.
By the end of November 1971, the Pakistan Army’s morale had gone down to their boots due to Mukti Bahini operations. It took just 13 days of fighting to roll up their defences by joint forces.
CONCLUSION
India followed a multi-prong grand strategy to dismember Pakistan in 1971. She utilised the political, economic, social, and geographical gap between East and West Pakistan to materialise her ancestral dream of Pakistan’s dismemberment. India engineered the whole process of creation of Bangladesh. By getting support from the anti-state elements of East Bengal, India succeeded in dismembering Pakistan. Today, it has been fifty years that India created her illegitimate progeny, but the wounds in the hearts of Pakistanis remain fresh. The contemporary policies of expansionist India are identical to her past policies.