Vijay Diwas 2021 | Remembering India's victory over Pakistan in 1971 war
India celebrates Vijay Diwas on December 16 to commemorate 50 years of victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. The war began with Operation Chengiz Khan's preemptive aerial strikes on 11 Indian air stations, which led to the commencement of hostilities with Pakistan and Indian entry into the war for independence in East Pakistan on the side of Bengali nationalist forces, expanding the existing conflict with Indian and Pakistani forces engaging on both eastern and western fronts. Around 93,000 Pakistani servicemen were taken prisoner by the Indian Army, including uniformed personnel of the Pakistan Armed Forces, and some Bengali soldiers who had remained loyal to Pakistan. The India-Pakistan war, which started on December 3, 1971, ended after 13 days on December 16 with the unconditional surrender of the Pakistan Army. East Pakistan, now known as Bangladesh, gained independence on this day. A look back at the historical day when India defeated Pakistan in the 1971 war.
A refugee’s camp in India for migrants from then East Pakistan in May 1971 during the India-Pakistan war. (Image: AFP)
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Indian Army officers and soldiers atop a captured Pakistani tank in Rajasthan during the India-Pakistan border conflict on December 11, 1971. (Image: AFP)
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People welcome Indian Army tanks in the streets of Jessore on December 12, 1971 after the India-Pakistan war. (Image: AFP)
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A group of Indian soldiers captured by the Pakistani Army in a POW camp in December 1971 during the India-Pakistan border conflict. (Image: AFP)
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Indian Army soldiers attacking Naya Chor in Sind in support of Bengali rebels of the Liberation Army during the India-Pakistani war on December 15, 1971. This war between East Pakistan and India against West Pakistan resulted in the secession of East Pakistan, becoming the independent nation of Bangladesh. (Image: AFP)
