On this day in 1971

DECEMBER 7

Bhutan acknowledges Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign state. In the break of dawn, Indian paratroopers drop near Sylhet airport. They attack the main Pakistan base in Sylhet. Within the afternoon, the Pakistani general in-charge of Sylhet is compelled to surrender along with his troops. The 9th division of Indian army reaches Jashore Cantonment from the northern side. They enter without any resistance. They are astonished seeing the desolated army establishment. Pakistan army absconds from the cantonment, leaving huge arms, ammunition and control room maps behind. Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev urges a peaceful solution to the Indo-Pak war without intervention of any outsiders. A fierce skirmish continues at Bhaluka in Mymensingh as Major Afsar’s troops attack the police station, a camp of Pakistan army, from three sides. Allied forces take control of Chandina and Jafarganj. Turbulent wars continue in Cumilla and Laksham. A violent Indo-Pak bloodshed continues centring Kartowa Bridge on the Bogura-Rangpur highway. The US decides to dismiss financial aid to India.