On This Day, In 1971, Niazi Asks For Ceasefire As Indian Forces Surround Dhaka, With Indian Army Launching Battle Of Basantar In The West

On this day (15 December), in 1971, Pakistan's eastern army commander Lt. General A A K Niazi asked for a ceasefire to negotiate with the Indian Army, which had surrounded Dhaka from three sides.

The Indian Air Force (IAF), on the other hand, continued hitting Pakistan Air Force (PAF) airfields, interdicting western Pakistan's entire transport system, from Sialkot to Sukkur, including the Sulaimanke headworks. In the east, the IAF concentrated on softening the Dhaka garrison.

IAF used MiG-21s and Hunters to hit Pakistan army forces in Dhaka University. These incessant air attacks by the IAF led to the folding of local resistance in the vicinity of the university.

The combined forces of 2 Para and 1 Maratha Light Infantry had come close to 20 kilometres north of Dhaka by the dusk of 15 December.

4 Guards, who were heli-lifted from Brahmanbaria to Raipura across the mighty Meghna, had already reached close to Dhaka from the east. Dhaka was within the range of the artillery guns of the 311 Mountain Brigade, while elements of the 23 Division had surrounded Dhaka from the south.

Lt. Gen Niazi, who until now was banking on the support of the United States' seventh fleet or from the Chinese, was now realising that nobody was coming for his help.

East Pakistan's governor A M Malik, along with the entire government, had already resigned after the bombing of the governor's house by the IAF.

With the hostile population of East Pakistan waiting to confront the Pakistani army and being surrounded by Indian forces from all sides, and no help coming, Lt. Gen A A K Niazi requested a halt of all operations to negotiate a ceasefire.

The IAF agreed to a ceasefire of all air operations until 0900 hrs of the next day (16 December). Lt. Gen Niazi finally signed the surrender document at 1631 hrs on 16 December, marking the end of all operations in the east and the creation of Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, on 15 December, in the western sector, the Indian army launched the forced crossing of the Basantar River, marking the beginning of the fierce Battle of Basantar with the objective of capturing Zafarwal, close to Sialkot, the headquarters of Pakistan's 1st Corps.

The fierce battle continued for three days, from 15 to 17 December, which was one of the pivotal moments of the war in the western sector, showcasing acts of gallantry by infantry, armored corps, and engineers combined.

The Indian army's 47th Brigade, with the help of engineers, crossed the mined 1,400 metre wide riverbed of Basantar, assaulting Jarpal, Ghazipur reserve forest, and Barapind, across the Basantar River.

The Indian army will beat back the determined counter-attacks of the Pakistan army's 8 (Independent) Armoured Brigade, the next day (on 16 December).

The ferocity of the Pakistani counter-attack was such that the battle ended with the destruction of 48 Patton tanks from the Pakistani side.

Moreover, the troops of the Ladakh Scouts and Nubra Guards, led by Colonel Chewang Rinchen, who had captured Turtuk the previous day (14 December), assaulted Tyakshi and Pachethang without any resistance from Pakistani forces, as they had withdrawn.

These battles in the mountains resulted in India capturing 590 sq km of Ladakhi mountains.