Southern Command marks Vijay Diwas

The war, which was short and intense, was fought on both Eastern and Western fronts and concluded with the complete surrender of Pakistani forces and the creation of Bangladesh.

Vijay Diwas celebration, Indian Army Southern Command, Bangladesh war 1971, emnergence of Bangladesh, Vijay Diwas, Indian express news

THE PUNE-headquartered Southern Command of the Indian Army on Saturday commemorated the Vijay Diwas, which marks the decisive victory achieved by India over Pakistan leading to the emergence of Bangladesh in 1971.

A wreath-laying ceremony was held at Southern Command War Memorial in city to pay homage to brave soldiers, airmen and sailors of the Indian armed forces who laid down their lives to protect the sovereignty and freedom of the nation. The commemorative wreath was laid by Lieutenant General Ajai Kumar Singh, Army Commander, Southern Command. The ceremony was attended by serving military personnel and officers from Pune as well as veterans who participated in the operations in the 1971 war.

The war, which was short and intense, was fought on both Eastern and Western fronts and concluded with the complete surrender of Pakistani forces and the creation of Bangladesh.

The war began with Pakistan launching pre-emptive air strikes against 11 Indian airbases on December 3, 1971. The notable battles which were fought in the area of responsibility of the Pune-headquartered Southern Command included the famous battles of Longewala and Parbat Ali where Pakistan’s forces were defeated by the Indian troops.

The Battle of Longewala was fought between December 4 and 7, 1971. This battle was one of the first major engagements in the Western Sector during the war. Longewala is located in the Thar desert and was at the time defended by a company of 23 Punjab commanded by then Major and later Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri.

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