By IANS,
Kolkata : Three serving army officers along with 22 Mukti Jodhas (freedom fighters) from Bangladesh will join in the five-day 40th anniversary celebrations of the Bangladesh Liberation War organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army beginning Dec 11, officials said Wednesday.
Vijay Diwas is celebrated by the Eastern Command every Dec 16 to mark India’s victory in the 1971 war with Pakistan that resulted in the formation of Bangladesh.
“We will be hosting some veterans who had the good fortune of being part of this historic war and the liberation of Bangladesh. Mukti Jodhas and senior service officers with their spouses from Bangladesh will also join in the celebrations,” defence ministry spokesman Group Captain Tarun Kumar Singha said.
“Twenty-two Mukti Jodhas accompanied by their children and spouses will attend the programmes,” another officer said.
Three serving Bangladeshi army officers will also attend the celebrations.
“Apart from the ’71 war veterans of Indian armed forces staying in Kolkata, near about twenty war veterans staying outside Kolkata have confirmed about attending the celebrations,” the officer said.
Vijay Diwas celebrations this year will be spread over from Dec 11 to Dec 16. The Military Tattoo and Band display will also be held during the programme.
The Mukti Jodhas and the people of the erstwhile East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, played an important role in helping the Indian Army achieve its goal. They provided valuable information on the location and whereabouts of different Pakistani strongholds and deployment of troops.
The EC will commemorate Vijay Diwas between Dec 13 and 16 this year in the memory of all warriors who sacrificed their lives for the sake of defending their nation.
December 16 is considered a glorious day in the annals of the history of the Indian armed forces. The India-Pakistan war of 1971 commenced when Pakisthan on Dec 3 launched a series of pre-emptive air strikes on India.
On Dec 16, the capital Dhaka fell. Lt. Gen. Niazi with 96,000 troops under his command surrendered to the Indian armed forces headed by then Eastern Command chief, Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora, by signing the Instrument of Surrender.