On this day in 1971
DECEMBER 11
Lt General Niazi inspects anti-aircraft guns at Dhaka airport. He tells his troops to resist the allied force at any cost. He shows optimism that the Pakistan army would show its valour. Later, he talks to international journalists.
The US mounts pressure on India and Pakistan to accept the ceasefire offer of the UN General Assembly. White House spokesperson Ronald Ziegler says that US president Richard Nixon was consulting his security adviser Henry Kissinger on the situation.
The allied force face fierce resistance at the Hili frontier. They launch a comb operation at Gobindaganj Pakistani base on Bogra-Rangpur highway. Pakistan troops surrender in the early morning.
Jamalpur garrison surrender to the allied force. In Haluaghat, a brigade of Pakistan troops starts to disband. They destroy numerous bridges while retreating towards Tangail. Another Pakistani brigade leaves Mymensingh and takes shelter in their base. The allied force take control of Jamalpur by the night without any resistance.
The allied air strikes remain temporarily halted following UN’s request for evacuating foreign nationals from Dhaka. Pakistan Major General Rao Farman Ali urges emergency ceasefire to evacuate Pakistanis from Dhaka.
A spokesperson of Pakistan army says the situation of the eastern region is not good, however, Pakistan army will never surrender. A curfew is imposed in Dhaka from 3:00pm.
Bhairab and Ashuganj fights from December 8 to 11.
Source: Shafiullah, KM Bir Uttam Major General. Muktijuddhe Bangladesh, Dhaka: Agami Prokashon, 1995: 212.
Comments