Bhutto saved India from disgrace in '71: Indian Gen
From Iftikhar Gilani
NEW DELHI-In a startling revelation, Commander of Indian forces, who captured Bangladesh in 1971, has said that India and its Army were saved from disaster and disgrace by none other than Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who tore apart a Polish resolution in the United Nations calling for ceasefire at a time when India had not concentrated on capturing major part of East Pakistan. Bhutto ascended to presidentship of Pakistan soon after the war.
The Punjab Governor, Lieutenant General (Retd) JFR Jacob, who commanded Indian troops in the Eastern Theatre, made these remarks in Chandigarh, commemorating the Fall of Dhaka on December 15.
Recounting his experiences of Bangladesh War, Jacob explained that because of geo-political and strategic location of Dhaka, Indian forces had concentrated to capture the East Pakistan capital.
While stating that by December 13, within nine days of the offensive, Indian forces were outside Dhaka, Lt-Gen Jacob disclosed that India and its Army were saved from disaster by none other than Bhutto.
He said by December 13, Pakistan had successfully exerted considerable diplomatic pressure on India, with the United States politically tilting towards Pakistan.
Though, by then China had not given any signal of trouble and the UN calls for ceasefire had been vetoed by Soviet Union, however, scenario was getting out of hand from India after December 13, said the Indian General.
"On December 15 in United Nations, a Polish resolution supported by Soviet Union had come up calling for ceasefire and withdrawal of troops. Its passage would have been disastrous for India since we had not concentrated on capturing land, particularly towns, but had put all our energies on the strategy to capture Dhaka. And fortunately for us, Bhutto tore up the resolution and no debate took place,giving us enough time to arrange the surrender," said Lt-Gen. Jacob.
Indian General also refuted the allegations levelled by Gen. A. A. K. Niyazi, whose surrender was secured by Jacob, then a Major-General leading the Indian offensive. "Niyazi's accusations against me of my blackmailing him or threatening to have him lynched, are not true.
I had a difficult task at hand since I had barely three to four hours to negotiate and have the peace settlement signed. However, I ultimately managed to convince Niazi to sign the surrender as per the draft prepared by us," Lt-Gen Jacob said.
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ŠThe Nation Group
From Iftikhar Gilani
NEW DELHI-In a startling revelation, Commander of Indian forces, who captured Bangladesh in 1971, has said that India and its Army were saved from disaster and disgrace by none other than Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who tore apart a Polish resolution in the United Nations calling for ceasefire at a time when India had not concentrated on capturing major part of East Pakistan. Bhutto ascended to presidentship of Pakistan soon after the war.
The Punjab Governor, Lieutenant General (Retd) JFR Jacob, who commanded Indian troops in the Eastern Theatre, made these remarks in Chandigarh, commemorating the Fall of Dhaka on December 15.
Recounting his experiences of Bangladesh War, Jacob explained that because of geo-political and strategic location of Dhaka, Indian forces had concentrated to capture the East Pakistan capital.
While stating that by December 13, within nine days of the offensive, Indian forces were outside Dhaka, Lt-Gen Jacob disclosed that India and its Army were saved from disaster by none other than Bhutto.
He said by December 13, Pakistan had successfully exerted considerable diplomatic pressure on India, with the United States politically tilting towards Pakistan.
Though, by then China had not given any signal of trouble and the UN calls for ceasefire had been vetoed by Soviet Union, however, scenario was getting out of hand from India after December 13, said the Indian General.
"On December 15 in United Nations, a Polish resolution supported by Soviet Union had come up calling for ceasefire and withdrawal of troops. Its passage would have been disastrous for India since we had not concentrated on capturing land, particularly towns, but had put all our energies on the strategy to capture Dhaka. And fortunately for us, Bhutto tore up the resolution and no debate took place,giving us enough time to arrange the surrender," said Lt-Gen. Jacob.
Indian General also refuted the allegations levelled by Gen. A. A. K. Niyazi, whose surrender was secured by Jacob, then a Major-General leading the Indian offensive. "Niyazi's accusations against me of my blackmailing him or threatening to have him lynched, are not true.
I had a difficult task at hand since I had barely three to four hours to negotiate and have the peace settlement signed. However, I ultimately managed to convince Niazi to sign the surrender as per the draft prepared by us," Lt-Gen Jacob said.
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ŠThe Nation Group
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