The historical surrender of over 92,000 Pakistan soldiers in 1971 Bangladesh war is perhaps the brightest feather in the glittering cap of the Mukti Bahini (liberation force) of Bangladesh as well as Indian Army.
Spotlight was on Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora when Pakistani Lieutenant General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi signed historical accord of unconditional surrender of 92,000 plus Pakistan army in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka on 16 December, 1971.
British newspaper The Guardian had described that picture as "the glum Pakistani officer bowed over his signature. The turbaned figure beside him, showing not a scrap of elation".
Today is the 18th death anniversary of Lt Gen Aurora who became flagbearer of India then. There is hardly any Indian (and Pakistanis as well) who haven’t seen that picture which marked the dawn of freedom for crores of Bangladeshis who suffered unparalleled humiliation at the hands of Pakistan army.
Lt Gen Aurora was born on 13 Februrary, 1916 in a Sikh family in Kala Gujran, Jhelum district of United Punjab. His father was an engineer.
Lt Gen Aurora graduated from Indian Military Academy in 1939 and was commissioned into the 1st Battlaion, 2nd Punjab Regiment. He straightaway saw action just after two-three years of commission on Burma during Japanese campaign in WW-II.
Lt Gen Aurora was a commissioned officer and saw action in 1947 war against Pakistan in Kashmir. He also witnessed the action in 1962 Sino-Indian war as well as 1965 war against Pakistan.
Since Lt Gen Aurora was destined to be part of a historical moment which would immortalise him in the annals of wars, he became Commander In Chief, Eastern Command just two years before the war of 1971.
With Pakistan launching Operation Searchlight to curb Bengali nationalist movement in then East Pakistan, Pak army unleashed a fury of unfathomable atrocities on poor Bangladeshis. Lakhs of women were raped whereas the men were killed. The Bengalis started fleeing into India and Calcutta because the centre of refugees storming in from East Pakistan.
India had no option, but to intervene. Therefore on December 3, 1971 India opened the Eastern Front and challenged Pakistanis. But before that as a commander in chief of Eastern Command, Lt Gen Aurora had ensured the logistical preparations of the Indian Army on the Eastern front, including the improvement of roads, communications and bridges, as well as the movement of 30,000 tons of supplies close to the border with East Pakistan, according to Indian media reports.
When India launched an offensive, Lt Gen Aurora meticulously planned operation. He broke forces into small combat teams and launched a four-front attack with the strategy of confronting and defeating the Pakistani forces on selected fronts while bypassing Pakistani forces on others. In under two weeks, his forces advanced from the Indian border to capture Dhaka, the capital of then East Pakistan now Bangladesh.
Indian army’s repeated attacks forced Pakistan forces to surrender and Pakistan General, Lt Gen Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi who was earlier bragging about "killing all Indians present in East Pakistan" was forced to sign an unconditional Instrument of Surrender.
Lt Gen Aurora retired from the Indian Army in 1973. Aurora was honoured with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and the Padma Bhushan for his role in the war.
For his praiseworthy participation and heroic war of Bangladesh’s independence, the Government of Bangladesh honored Arora with the Birpratik Padak (4th highest honour given from Bangladeshi government to those participated in liberation war of 1971).
After retiring from military service, Jagjit Singh Arora was elected to the state government of India for several years. He was a loyal supporter of the Akali Dal of the Sikh community.
Aurora died on May 3, 2005, at age 89, in New Delhi. After his death, Bangladesh offered its gratitude for the favour Lt Gen Aurora did to Bangladesh while serving his country.
