Indian Army celebrates Victory Day on 35th Anniversary of Bangladeshi Liberation
{{date|December 17, 2006}}
The [[w:Indian Army|Indian Army]] observed ''[[w:Vijay Diwas|Vijay Diwas]]'', marking the defeat of the [[w:Military of Pakistan|Pakistani military]] and the formation of the independent state of [[w:Bangladesh|Bangladesh]] (then called East Pakistan) in the [[w:Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|1971 Indo-Pakistan War]]. [[Image:1971 surrender.jpg|200px|right|thumb|[[w:A.A.K Niazi|Lt. Gen. A.A.K Niazi]] signs the instrument of surrender, handing over his troops to [[w:Jagjit Singh Aurora|Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora]], Commander of Indian forces in East Pakistan]]

On the 16th of December, 35 years ago, 90,000 Pakistani troops deployed in Bangladesh surrendered unconditionally following a successful campaign by Indian troops and the guerilla outfit [[w:Mukti Bahini|Mukti Bahini]] against the [[w:Yahya Khan|Yahya Khan]] regime in East Pakistan. 

[[w:Defence Minister|Defence Minister]] A. K Antony, along with the three Service Chiefs laid wreaths at the Eternal Flame at India Gate, in honour of the country's matyrs. A programme presented by the National Cadet Corps was followed by a Tri-Service Band performance at the National Stadium. 

General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army's Sringar-based 15 Corps, Lt. Gen. A S Sekhon paid tribute to India's war-heroes saying, "Vijay Diwas is dedicated to the memory of soldiers who laid down their lives for the country since independence and is an echo of remembering the war martyrs." He also commended the 1971 operation as one the Indian military's most magnificent achievements. 

==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?rep=2&aid=342420&sid=NAT|title= Indian Army celebrates 35th anniversary of liberation of Bangladesh|author=|pub=Zee News|date=December 16, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india-celebrates-vijay-diwas-today/28630-3.html|title=India celebrates Vijay Diwas today|author=|pub=CNN-IBN|date=December 16, 2006}}

  

{{publish}}{{archive}}

[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:India]]
[[Category:Military]]
The Indian Army observed Vijay Diwas, marking the defeat of the Pakistani military and the formation of the independent state of Bangladesh (then called East Pakistan) in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. Lt. Gen. A.A.K Niazi signs the instrument of surrender, handing over his troops to Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora, Commander of Indian forces in East Pakistan

On the 16th of December, 35 years ago, 90,000 Pakistani troops deployed in Bangladesh surrendered unconditionally following a successful campaign by Indian troops and the guerilla outfit Mukti Bahini against the Yahya Khan regime in East Pakistan. 

Defence Minister A. K Antony, along with the three Service Chiefs laid wreaths at the Eternal Flame at India Gate, in honour of the country's matyrs. A programme presented by the National Cadet Corps was followed by a Tri-Service Band performance at the National Stadium. 

General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army's Sringar-based 15 Corps, Lt. Gen. A S Sekhon paid tribute to India's war-heroes saying, "Vijay Diwas is dedicated to the memory of soldiers who laid down their lives for the country since independence and is an echo of remembering the war martyrs." He also commended the 1971 operation as one the Indian military's most magnificent achievements.
Asia India Military