Here's The Story Of Lt Gen JS Aurora, Man Who Made 90,000 Pak Soldiers Surrender In 1971 War

The historical surrender of 93,000 Pakistan soldiers in 1971 Bangladesh war is perhaps the brightest feather in the glittering cap of the mighty Indian Army.

And Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora was the man of the moment when Pakistani Lieutenant General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi signed historical accord of unconditional surrender of 93,000 plus Pakistan army in Bangladesh¡¯s capital Dhaka on 16 December, 1971.

British newspaper The Guardian had described that picture as "the glum Pakistani officer bowed over his signature. The turbaned figure beside him, showing not a scrap of elation".

Today is the birthday of Lt Gen Aurora who became flagbearer of India¡¯s historic victory over Pakistan. There is hardly any Indian (and Pakistanis as well) who haven¡¯t seen that picture which marked the dawn of freedom for crores of Bangladeshis who suffered unparalleled humiliation at the hands of Pakistan army.

Let¡¯s know more about Lt Gen Aurora:

Birth and early life

Lt Gen Aurora was born on 13 Februrary, 1916 in a Sikh family in Kala Gujran, Jhelum district of United Punjab. His father was an engineer.

Career in British Indian Army

Lt Gen Aurora graduated from Indian Military Academy in 1939 and was commissioned into the 1st Battlaion, 2nd Punjab Regiment. He straightaway saw action just after two-three years of commission on Burma during Japanese campaign in WW-II.

After Independence

Lt Gen Aurora was a commissioned officer and saw action in 1947 war against Pakistan in Kashmir. He also witnessed the action in 1962 Sino-Indian war as well as 1965 war against Pakistan.

Lt Gen Aurora became GOC, Eastern Command

Since Lt Gen Aurora was destined to be part of a historical moment which would immortalise him in the annals of wars, he became Commander In Chief, Eastern Command just two years before the war of 1971.

Then came 1971

With Pakistan launching Operation Searchlight to curb Bengali nationalist movement in then East Pakistan, Pak army unleashed a fury of unfathomable atrocities on poor Bangladeshis. Lakhs of women were raped whereas the men were killed. The Bengalis started fleeing into India and Calcutta because the centre of refugees storming in from East Pakistan.

Chapati Mystery

India had no option, but to intervene. Therefore on 3 December India opened the Eastern Front and challenged Pakistanis. But before that as a commander in chief of Eastern Command, Lt Gen Aurora had ensured the logistical preparations of the Indian Army on the Eastern front, including the improvement of roads, communications and bridges, as well as the movement of 30,000 tons of supplies close to the border with East Pakistan.

Total War: Alternate Reality Wiki-wikipedia

When India launched an offensive, Lt Gen Aurora meticulously planned operation. He broke forces into small combat teams and launched a four-front attack with the strategy of confronting and defeating the Pakistani forces on selected fronts while bypassing Pakistani forces on others. In under two weeks, his forces advanced from the Indian border to capture Dhaka, the capital of East Pakistan.

Then came 16 December 1971

Indian army¡¯s repeated attacks forced Pakistan forces to surrender and Pakistan General, Lt Gen Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi who was earlier bragging about "killing all Indians present in East Pakistan" was forced to sign an unconditional Instrument of Surrender.

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The photograph of Niazi and Aurora at the signing of the Instruments of Surrender became an iconic image of the war. The 90,000 Pakistani troops under Niazi's command surrendered to Gen Aurora as prisoners of war.

Retirement and death

Lt Gen Aurora retired from the Indian Army in 1973. Aurora was honoured with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and the Padma Bhushan for his role in the war.

Aurora died on 3 May 2005, at age 89, in New Delhi. After his death, Bangladesh offered its gratitude for the favour Lt Gen Aurora did to Bangladesh while serving his country. The Morshed Khan, the then Bangladeshi Foreign Minister, stated in honour of Lt Gen Aurora ¡°Aurora will be remembered in the history of Bangladesh for his contribution during our war of liberation in 1971, when he led the allied forces.¡±