Live: India, Bangladesh celebrate 50 years of victory against Pakistan

Vijay Divas: History, significance and glory

Vijay Divas or Victory day is written in golden letters in India and Bangladesh's history...Read More

Pictures: India-Pak 1971 war: How Indian Navy operation destroyed Karachi harbour

Pictures: Sam Manekshaw & struggle for Bangladesh: How Indian army destroyed Pak in 1971

Manekshaw who was the Army chief during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 was the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of field marshal.

December 4, 1971: How Indian Navy's 'Operation Trident' in 1971 destroyed Karachi port

The Indian Navy formed the covert Karachi Strike Group to destroy Pakistan's main harbour which had deployed the Pakistani fleet.

Pictures: Vijay Diwas - 'You surrender or we wipe you out': When Sam Manekshaw threatened Pak in 1971 Bangladesh liberation war

The Pakistan army surrendered to Indian forces unconditionally when General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi with 93,000 troops surrendered to India. The war lasted just 13 days from December 4 to 16.

Pictures: How Bangladesh's Mukti Bahini vanquished the Pak Army in 1971 India-Pakistan war

Bangladesh's Mukti Bahini (freedom warriors) was instrumental in fighting a guerrilla war against the Pakistan Army as a paramilitary force during the war of liberation in 1971.

Pictures | Vijay Diwas: How IAF's 'Sabre slayers' shot down PAF jets in dogfight during battle of Boyra

The battle of Boyra was an aerial battle fought between the IAF and Pakistan Air Force jets just days ahead of the Bangladesh Liberation war in 1971.

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind attended the national event as the Guest of Honour after Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid reviewed the parade at National Parade Ground in Dhaka.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi signs the visitors' book at the National War Memorial. (Picture courtesy: ANI)

On the occasion of the 50th Vijay Diwas (Victory Day), which commemorates the founding of Bangladesh following Pakistan's defeat in the 1971 war, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on Thursday, recalling the valour and sacrifice of the Indian armed forces.President Ram Nath Kovind's visit to Dhaka, he added, is of "special significance to every Indian."

Opinion | Indian President's visit to Bangladesh on 'Victory Day' is a huge gesture



The birth of Bangladesh in 1971 – a happening which was largely possible due to India’s direct and indirect intervention both diplomatically, and militarily.  

Pictures: Sam Manekshaw & struggle for Bangladesh: How Indian army destroyed Pak in 1971

1971 war: The story of India's victory, Pak's surrender, Bangladesh freedom

For India and its neighbours Bangladesh and Pakistan, December 16 is a significant day.

In 1971, India defeated Pakistan in a war that resulted in the formation of Bangladesh (then East Pakistan).

Pakistan lost half of its nation, its eastern forces, and had to officially surrender to India on this day 47 years ago.

After World War II, it was also the largest military surrender.

Pakistan launched air strikes on 11 Indian airbases to start the conflict.

It was maybe the first time that India's three military battled together.

In response to the Pakistan Army's actions in the west, India moved fast and took around 15,010 kilometres of Pakistani land.

The conflict came to an end when Pakistan's military head, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, surrendered with 93,000 troops to the Indian Army and Bangladesh's Mukti Bahini. 

Lt Gen Niazi signing the Instrument of Surrender under the gaze of Lt Gen Aurora. (Photo: Wikipedia)

Victory Day (Bijôy Dibôsh) is a national holiday in Bangladesh observed on December 16 to commemorate the victory of Bangladeshi forces against Pakistani forces in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

General AAK Niazi, the Pakistani forces' commanding commander, surrendered with his 93,000 soldiers of the Pakistan Armed Forces Eastern Command to Indian forces and Mukti Bahini, bringing the 9-month-long Bangladesh Liberation War, the 1971 Bangladesh genocide, and the official secession of East Pakistan into Bangladesh to an end. 

Watch | WION Wideangle: Bangladesh liberation war: Untold stories

India-Pak 1971 war: How Indian Navy operation destroyed Karachi harbour