02/09/2017 Three Indian blunders in the 1971 war - Rediff.

com News

rediff NewsApp Search

HOME NEWS BUSINESS MOVIES SPORTS CRICKET GET AHEAD SHOPPING

SHOP FOR: Men's Lifestyle Women's Lifestyle Mobiles Electronics Watches Home & Decor Personal Care Health & Fitness Books All Categories

Sign in | Create a Rediffmail account

Rediff.com News Three Indian blunders in the 1971 war

Three Indian blunders in the 1971 war

Last updated on: December 12, 2011 20:23 IST

Share Comment
Text size: A A A

ZaraBol - Trending Topics

#SPOTTED-A- #YehHaiMumbaiMeriJaan
Celebrity

>
#PostYourGaneshaPics #MonsoonPics

To get such articles in your inbox

Enter Your email ID Subscribe

Pakistan army officers got away without

being tried for genocide in 1971: Colonel
Anil Athale (retd) identifies India's three
blunders in that war.

The 1971 Indo-Pak war was one of those rarest of

rare occasions in our history when India took the
military initiative.

Politically, the war began in April 1971 when

Pakistan pushed nearly nine million refugees into India through a campaign of rape, murder
and terror that statistically comes close to Hitler's genocide of Jews in the Second World War,
in scale and brutality.

Military force remained the only option when it became clear that the rest of the world had
decided to ignore this crime. India bided its time till the winter snows closed the Himalayan
passes, rendering Chinese intervention difficult.

Around November 26, 1971, India began to nibble at East Pakistani territory. Pakistan, instead
of cutting its losses and calling quits, in a desperate gamble escalated the conflict by launching
air/ground attacks in the West on December 3, 1971. By escalation, it hoped to rope in China
and the US in widening the conflict and hoped for a UN intervention a la Kashmir.

http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-three-indian-blunders-in-the-1971-war/20111212.htm 1/6
02/09/2017 Three Indian blunders in the 1971 war - Rediff.com News

The Indian Air Force achieved remarkable success when within the first 48 hours it achieved
complete air superiority in the Eastern theatre of war. This enabled the advancing army
columns to move without any fear of detection even in daytime.

With supply from the air assured, the army did not have to be dependent on opening of roads,
which were heavily defended by the Pakistanis. The five division-strong Indian forces
advanced from three directions and secured choke points well in the rear.

The bypassed Pak forces had no option but to up stick and attack the Indian troops in order to
go back to Dhaka. This was a classic case of 'offensive strategy' and defensive tactics devised by
the indomitable General J F R Jacob.

These tactics were reminiscent of the Israeli tactics of 1967 war when they bypassed the
Egyptian forces in front and seized the passes in the rear (the Mitla and Giddi passes in the
Sinai mountains).

The Indian Army in Bangladesh similarly bypassed the Pakistani forces on the border and
headed for the river ferries/crossings/bridges in the rear. This war strategy took advantage of
the fact of modern warfare that tactically 'defence' is always stronger than offence.

The Eastern prong led by Lieutenant General Sagat Singh found a chance opening and
exploited it. In 24 hours, 12 small helicopters of the air force ferried brigade strength across a
mile wide Meghan river.

The Pakistani defenders were totally taken aback and Indian troops reached Dhaka by
December 13-14. The navy had blockaded the sea and All India Radio constantly drummed into
the Pak soldiers that they had no choice but to surrender.

Surrender by the 93,000 strong garrison was only a matter of time.

It is interesting to note that the Indian troops had less than 1:2 superiority and were on the
offensive. Normally that means more casualties. But it is tribute to Indian general-ship that the
Indian loss was 2,000 men as against that of Pak at 6,000.

Credit for this goes to the dash and efficiency of the three services. The Bangladesh attack has
been compared by many to the famous Blitzkrieg of the Germans. It must be never forgotten
that the military success was a joint Indo-Bangladeshi effort.

Without the whole-hearted support from the Bangladeshis, this war could have never been
won. The people of Bangladesh paid a very heavy price for their freedom.

Please click NEXT to read further...

More from rediff
Saving the crocodiles
<
Image: Pakistan's Lieutenant General A A K Niazi, left, greets Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh >
Aurora, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command

Related News: All India Radio , Eastern , Pakistan , Indian Air Force , Bangladesh

Next

Share Comment

You May Like Sponsored Links by Taboola

This is something you didnt know about online shopping

Megabargain24.com for Madbid.com

Flight Prices You're Not Allowed to See

Save70.com

http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-three-indian-blunders-in-the-1971-war/20111212.htm 2/6
02/09/2017 Three Indian blunders in the 1971 war - Rediff.com News
Massive Reward For Indians Born Between 1941-1981
Survey Compare

14 Billionaires With Gorgeous Wives & Exs

Hooch

Why Future Energy And Energy Solutions Are The Focus Of Expo 2017
CNN for Expo 2017

Now You Can Track Your Car Using Your Smartphone

TRACKR BRAVO

Related links

The 1971 War: How it began 1971, A War Hero The Errors of Simla
Remembers

Indo Men's Black Vizio 12 W LED Bulb - Solar Lantern Must For
Formal Shoes Set Of 6. Your Next Trip.
Rediff Shopping Rediff Shopping Rediff Shopping

Discussion Board

Write a message

Total 284 messages Pages | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Older > >>

Longewala War of 1971

by Aakash Srivastava (View MyPage) on Dec 16, 2015 11:28 AM

It was not the complete Bangladesh that was in favor of Independence and It was not that China did not took part in
this war. They tried a lot but Indian army proved superior and yes climate conditions too helped a lot. Further, NATO
never wanted a new country's involvement in soviet union and had a soft corner for Pakistan for which which USA
helped Pakistan, then came UK being a part of NATO. Other muslim countires like Indonesia Saudi to helped
Pakistan in this war. It was India's luck that Russia came to know about the major attack from west and came up as
a barrier and helped India. Further, Srilanka too came in fight indirectly by helping Pakistan by opening refueling
facilities for Pakistan against India being a good friend of Pakistan. Another major contribution to India was from
Isreal which helped India by providing arms to India that too when Isreal itself was in arms shortage.
Many more factors are there that made this war India a world leader.

-Aakash Srivastava

Reply Forward | Report abuse

Longewala War of 1971

by Aakash Srivastava (View MyPage) on Dec 16, 2015 11:27 AM

It was not the complete Bangladesh that was in favor of Independence and It was not that China did not took part in
this war. They tried a lot but Indian army proved superior and yes climate conditions too helped a lot. Further, NATO
never wanted a new country's involvement in soviet union and had a soft corner for Pakistan for which which USA
helped Pakistan, then came UK being a part of NATO. Other muslim countires like Indonesia Saudi to helped
http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-three-indian-blunders-in-the-1971-war/20111212.htm 3/6
02/09/2017 Three Indian blunders in the 1971 war - Rediff.com News
helped Pakistan, then came UK being a part of NATO. Other muslim countires like Indonesia Saudi to helped
Pakistan in this war. It was India's luck that Russia came to know about the major attack from west and came up as
a barrier and helped India. Further, Srilanka too came in fight indirectly by helping Pakistan by opening refueling
facilities for Pakistan against India being a good friend of Pakistan. Another major contribution to India was from
Isreal which helped India by providing arms to India that too when Isreal itself was in arms shortage.
Many more factors are there that made this war India a world leader.

-Aakash Srivastava

Reply Forward | Report abuse

Longewala War of 1971

by Aakash Srivastava (View MyPage) on Dec 16, 2015 11:27 AM

It was not the complete Bangladesh that was in favor of Independence and It was not that China did not took part in
this war. They tried a lot but Indian army proved superior and yes climate conditions too helped a lot. Further, NATO
never wanted a new country's involvement in soviet union and had a soft corner for Pakistan for which which USA
helped Pakistan, then came UK being a part of NATO. Other muslim countires like Indonesia Saudi to helped
Pakistan in this war. It was India's luck that Russia came to know about the major attack from west and came up as
a barrier and helped India. Further, Srilanka too came in fight indirectly by helping Pakistan by opening refueling
facilities for Pakistan against India being a good friend of Pakistan. Another major contribution to India was from
Isreal which helped India by providing arms to India that too when Isreal itself was in arms shortage.
Many more factors are there that made this war India a world leader.

-Aakash Srivastava

Reply Forward | Report abuse

Indo Pak War 1971

by jai sharma (View MyPage) on Dec 18, 2011 11:06 AM | Hide replies

It is no surprise, from division of the country there after Independence, the 1948 war we have been giving
concessions only. Politicians have been and are selling the country, our Armed services are only tools to serve their
ends. Today who comes into politics, the biggest Goonda or Don, or the generation of erstwhile Rajas or Jamidars,
to stay in power and loot. Unfortunately this country has never been united and can never be as it has so many
divisions based on religion and caste. Future Govt. will be tottering Coalition Govts, in no position to take bold
decisions for the benefit of country as a whole. We shall be seeing more of fights between states, with an impotent
center helplessly watching, incapable of taking any decision. Take case of FDI, the Dam issue between TN & Kerela,
and so on.

Reply Forward | Report abuse

Message deleted by moderator

INDIA MADE TREE BLUNDERS IN 1971

by Main turk (View MyPage) on Dec 18, 2011 10:54 AM | Hide replies

all credit goes to INDIRA GANDHI

Reply Forward | Report abuse

Message deleted by moderator

Message deleted by moderator

Re: INDIA MADE TREE BLUNDERS IN 1971

by Saba Pathy (View MyPage) on Sep 14, 2015 04:53 PM
No... all credits to Manekshaw. When IG pressed for war months back, General said not possible
since Bangla had swamps. Unless MEG is equipped to build bridges fast, India will loose and
asked for few months time. IG said NO. Maneshaw said no way but buy time or else he will quit.
Ultimately IG agreed to give time and thus we won the war with least casualties.

Gen Maneshaw the best ever...

Reply Forward | Report abuse

Re: Re: INDIA MADE TREE BLUNDERS IN 1971
by Pilot (View MyPage) on Dec 16, 2016 05:24 AM
More than Sam Maneckshaw it was General Jacob who ensured Indian victory. His
contribution to India's victory has not been highlighted

Reply Forward | Report abuse

This article is a real good piece to read

by sivasubramanian (View MyPage) on Dec 18, 2011 10:23 AM | Hide replies

India bows down at the northite weak leadership.

http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-three-indian-blunders-in-the-1971-war/20111212.htm 4/6
02/09/2017 Three Indian blunders in the 1971 war - Rediff.com News
India bows down at the northite weak leadership.
But northite always want to lead with the greed to loot.
Particularly army and other leadership should be transfered to southite particularly atmils.

Reply Forward | Report abuse

Message deleted by moderator

India blundered
by ASHEESH KUMAR (View MyPage) on Dec 18, 2011 09:57 AM | Hide replies

With 80,000 POW India blundered.Indira wanted a nobel peace prize it seems.We could have liberated POK and
also solved Kashmir problem once and for all.What a blunder !

Reply Forward | Report abuse

Message deleted by moderator

Message deleted by moderator

Re: India blundered

by mr c (View MyPage) on Jun 27, 2012 12:28 PM
What prevented Indria Gandhi was the nuclear vessel enterprise stationed by the u.s. in the
ocean as a warning

Reply Forward | Report abuse

71 war bad results

by ananthan (View MyPage) on Dec 18, 2011 08:01 AM | Hide replies

1.Global Moslims threw out India.India got nothing out of 71 war.Mukti Vahini was killed off by USA,ISI,Saudi
fund.2.USA,ISI, candastarted Khalistan bombings, when INdra was killed, started JK moslim terror too that has killed
30000 soldiers, 100000 civilians.3.India got nothing-US was anti India.A wasteful 2 crore bangladeshis are ruling
Assam, east-most are ISI followers,for eternity there will be these bombers.4.India is a easy idiot for world.It could
not do to Pak what India got.Pak is a cunning military than Indian, got CIA money to kill Indians that USA never
apologised.All Nehru started NON aligned that saw India being hit by PAK,CHINA, ISI CIA.All Nonaligned nations
are nowhere.

Reply Forward | Report abuse

Message deleted by moderator

in 'secular' india, 'hindu' is taboo

by Nandakumar Chandran (View MyPage) on Dec 18, 2011 06:50 AM | Hide replies

hindus are simply ashamed of their identity - due to colonial and later marxist brainwashing. that's the reason hindus
in pak and bangladesh, get no justice or support from india. likewise india's indifference to the only hindu kingdom
on earth turning maoist. self-flaggelation at its best!!!

Reply Forward | Report abuse

Re: in 'secular' india, 'hindu' is taboo

by Vishnu Sharma (View MyPage) on Dec 18, 2011 09:38 AM
Rightly stated.
At least you have realized the truth.

What you stated is the truth and nothing but the truth.

Reply Forward | Report abuse

Message deleted by moderator

Message deleted by moderator

Message deleted by moderator

Message(s) deleted by moderator not displayed on this page

Total 284 messages Pages: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Older > >>

http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-three-indian-blunders-in-the-1971-war/20111212.htm 5/6
02/09/2017 Three Indian blunders in the 1971 war - Rediff.com News
Total 284 messages Pages: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Older > >>

Write a message Terms of use | Disclaimer

Business email Office email App Domain registration Website Rediffmail Money Company email Online Shopping Books Gifts Videos Blogs Buzz

2017 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Careers - Feedback - Terms of use

http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-three-indian-blunders-in-the-1971-war/20111212.htm 6/6