No mention of India, Indian Army as Bangladesh celebrates independence from Pakistan, victory over Pakistan Army

The Pakistan Army surrendered to India following the 1971 India-Pakistan War. (File Image)

Bangladesh on Tuesday celebrated the 54th anniversary of its victory over Pakistan in the liberation war with India’s support and 54 paratroopers parachuted from the sky to the ground to mark the momentous moment. December 16 is also celebrated as Vijay Diwas in India; This marks the end of the nine-month war against Pakistan in 1971, in which Indian forces and the Mukti Bahini emerged victorious, leading to the liberation of East Pakistan and the birth of Bangladesh.

Victory Day is celebrated with various programs in Bangladesh. From the morning hours, a moment of silence was observed for the martyrs of the War of Liberation, and people from all walks of life laid wreaths at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar, near Dhaka.
The official celebration of Victory Day began at sunrise, at the old Dhaka airport area, with an artillery regiment of the Bangladesh Army firing a 31-gun salute in memory of the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the great war of independence.

Bangladesh Armed Forces carried out a magnificent flight on the occasion of Victory Day. Chief Advisor to the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, was also present at the event and the people of Dhaka also witnessed it. Yunus will also address the nation this evening. The address will be broadcast simultaneously on Bangladesh Television (BTV), BTV News and Bangladesh Betar.

Ironically, there was no official gratitude to India from Bangladesh, where radical Islam is on the rise, and the country moved towards Pakistan, which was responsible for the torture, rape and murder of lakhs of Bangladeshis during the liberation war. This was in stark contrast to 2021, when the country celebrated 50 years of victory over Pakistan by hosting a military parade with then Indian President Ram Nath Kovind as the guest of honour.

On December 16, 1971, Pakistani soldiers surrendered to a joint India-Bangladesh force, officially making Bangladesh a new nation under the leadership of Mukti Bahini leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, father of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. During the Bangladesh Liberation War, India played a crucial role in supporting Bangladeshi freedom fighters. From providing shelter and education to the Mukti Bahini to providing diplomatic and military assistance, India has stood firmly by Bangladesh.

The Indian Armed Forces eventually intervened directly, leading to the rapid surrender of Pakistani forces and the eventual birth of an independent Bangladesh. India’s support was instrumental in turning the tide and remains a hugely important chapter in the history of both nations. The defining moment of Bangladesh Victory Day was the formal surrender of over 90 thousand Pakistani soldiers led by General Niazi. On that historic day, General Niazi surrendered to Indian Army Lieutenant General Aurora and the war effectively ended.

(Except for the title, this news has not been edited by the DNA team and is published from ANI news agency).