On this pious day let's pay homage to the true liberator of Bangladesh Lt Gen Sagat Singh.
In reality, India never planned a surrender in 1971, our strategy was to form an interim govt in Bangladesh, but Lt Gen Sagat crossed Meghna in record time,
#VijayDiwas | #16December
In reality, India never planned a surrender in 1971, our strategy was to form an interim govt in Bangladesh, but Lt Gen Sagat crossed Meghna in record time,
#VijayDiwas | #16December
conceptualised India's 1stΒ heliborne operation & marched towards Dhaka against the orders of eastern army commander Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Arora.
With no opposition 4 Corps had achieved the objective of reaching the Meghna river and instead of waiting on the East bank(as per plan),
With no opposition 4 Corps had achieved the objective of reaching the Meghna river and instead of waiting on the East bank(as per plan),
Lt Gen Sagat ordered the troops to cross the river and carry on.
When Eastern Army Commander in Calcutta Lt Gen J S Aurora discovered 4 Corps had crossed Meghna, he asked Lt Gen Sagat why he had crossed the river when his task was to liberate territory only till east bank.
When Eastern Army Commander in Calcutta Lt Gen J S Aurora discovered 4 Corps had crossed Meghna, he asked Lt Gen Sagat why he had crossed the river when his task was to liberate territory only till east bank.
Lt Gen Sagat replied: "Jaggi, I have given you A+."
He told Lt Gen Arora, that he was the commander on the ground and was expected to exploit an opportunity. He took that opportunity and now was on his way to Dacca.
He told Lt Gen Arora, that he was the commander on the ground and was expected to exploit an opportunity. He took that opportunity and now was on his way to Dacca.
Lt Gen Aurora asked him to withdraw his troops, but Sagat Singh refused and said: 'Jaggi, over my dead body'. This personal risk which Sagat Singh took should be commended.
This action by Lt gen Sagat Singh created the situation for the Indian Army to plan the capture of Dacca.
This action by Lt gen Sagat Singh created the situation for the Indian Army to plan the capture of Dacca.
Marching on to Dhaka and forcing surrender to Pakistanis was never on cards, we owe this to only one man Lt Gen Sagat Singh, army's plan was to create three enclaves:
1. Up to the east bank of the Meghna.
2. Up to the west bank of the Ganga.
3. Up to the north bank of the Padma.
1. Up to the east bank of the Meghna.
2. Up to the west bank of the Ganga.
3. Up to the north bank of the Padma.
After creating these enclaves, the Bangladesh govt in exile was to be established and then going on with the long and tiring diplomatic pressure route.
Dacca was never our objective.
Therefore, the creator of Bangladesh in true sense was Lt Gen Sagat.
But he didn't get his due.
Dacca was never our objective.
Therefore, the creator of Bangladesh in true sense was Lt Gen Sagat.
But he didn't get his due.
The above excerpts are from Lt Gen OP Kaushik's interview and not mine.
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