In a powerful social media post, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has vividly recalled its immediate and devastating counterattack following Pakistan's pre-emptive air strikes on December 3, 1971. This aggressive move by Pakistan triggered the 14-day Indo-Pak war, which concluded with a decisive Indian victory and the historic creation of Bangladesh.
The Night of Retribution: IAF's Precision Strikes
Detailing the events of that fateful night, the IAF stated that its response was marked by both precision and fury. Within hours of the Pakistani attack, IAF crews sprang into action. Canberra bomber crews flew 23 deep-strike missions targeting critical enemy airfields across what was then West Pakistan.
The strikes successfully hit airbases at Murid, Mianwali, Sargodha, Chander, Risalewala, Shorkot, and Masrur near Karachi. The objective was clear and brutally effective: to cripple Pakistan's air capability at the outset. Runways were cratered and key installations were shattered, effectively blunting the adversary's early offensive move and establishing Indian air dominance.
Thunderous Onslaught: The Air-Land Campaign Begins
The IAF's post further described how the subsequent integrated air-land operations commenced with a "thunderous reminder" of its long reach. In a massive display of firepower, AN-12 transport aircraft were used as bombers. They dropped forty-eight 500-pound bombs over the Changa Manga forest area, which was being used as a supply camp by Pakistani forces.
The bombardment sparked a massive fire, destroying crucial enemy supplies and logistics, thereby severely hampering their war effort on the western front. This operation underscored the IAF's versatility and strategic innovation during the conflict.
The Decisive Victory and Its Lasting Legacy
The war culminated on December 16, 1971, when Lieutenant General A.A.K. Niazi, commanding the Pakistani forces in the east, surrendered unconditionally to Indian Army's Lieutenant General J.S. Aurora in Dhaka. This surrender was monumental in scale, involving 93,000 Pakistani troops, making it the largest military surrender since World War II.
This day is commemorated annually as "Vijay Diwas" or Victory Day in India, while in Bangladesh it is celebrated as Bijoy Dibas, marking its liberation. However, the geopolitical landscape in the region has seen shifts. While India-Bangladesh relations have been strong for years, they have faced recent strain following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina as Prime Minister in August 2024. Hasina has since been staying in Delhi.
In contrast, ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh have shown significant improvement under the caretaker administration of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka, marking a complex evolution in the triangular relationship born from the 1971 war.
The IAF's recollection serves as a potent reminder of a defining chapter in South Asian history, where swift and overwhelming air power played a critical role in shaping the map and destiny of nations.
