On this day in 1971
DECEMBER 10
Fearing defeat, Lt Gen Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi tries to plot an escape but BBC leaks his plan. To conceal his weakness, he goes to Hotel Intercontinental and asks, “Where are the international journalists? I want them to know that I will never leave my army behind.”
Fighter jets of the allied force bomb the radio station in Dhaka. They also continue attacks on the Kurmitola airbase to dominate the area.
Chattogram and Chalna ports become immobile due to the air attacks. A few ships, carrying Pakistan troops, are caught. One of those ships was trying to escape with a neutral state’s flag hoisted. It was heading for Singapore.
Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN Aga Shahi tells the Secretary General U’Thant to ask India to withdraw its soldiers. China’s Temporary Foreign Minister Chipo Fei says that India’s activities proved their expansionist and imperialist form.
The allied force gains success in the northern parts of Bangladesh. They detach Dinajpur, Rangpur and Syedpur from each other. Rangpur and Dinajpur are freed. Pakistan army leaves Jamalpur garrison and advance towards Dhaka. They face the allied force near Dhaka when a bloody combat breaks out. Pakistan sustains around 1,500 casualties. The rest of the troops surrender.
Al-Badr assassins abduct Sirajuddin Hossain, executive editor of the daily Ittefaq, and Syed Nazmul Haque, chief reporter of PPI, from their homes.
Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in New Delhi says that India neither accepts nor denies the UN’s urge and is considering the proposal. The situation would have been better when Bangladesh would have its own government and the 10 million Bangladeshi refugees in India would be able to go back home.
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