Military & Aerospace

The March to Dacca - III
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Exploiting Niazi’s pessimistic conclusions about the outcome of the war, the Indians stepped up their psychological warfare. A personal message from Manekshaw was repeatedly beamed by All India Radio to the beleaguered Pakistanis. Leaflets bearing the message were also dropped over the Pakistani defences. The message was addressed to the officers and jawans of the Pakistani Army and invited them to “lay down your arms before it is too late.” It warned: “The Indian forces have reached all round you. Your air force is. destroyed. You have no hope of help from them. Chittagong, Chalna and Mangla ports are blocked. Nobody can reach you from the sea. Your fate is sealed. The Mukti Bahini and the people are all prepared to take revenge for the atrocities and cruelties you have committed. Why waste lives? Do you want to go home and be with your children? Do not waste time. There is no disgrace in laying down your arms to a soldier. We will give you the treatment befitting a soldier.” To demonstrate the futility of resistance, the air attacks on the Pakistani defences were intensified, especially on the approaches to Dacca within 20 miles of the city.

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On 9 December, Dr Malik made concrete proposals to end hostilities in East Pakistan. According to Fazal Muqeem, “…the gist of the Governor’s proposals was that as the conflict in East Pakistan had arisen as a result of political causes it must end with a political solution.” He pleaded for the UN to effect an immediate ceasefire and arrange for a peaceful transfer of power to the elected representatives of East Pakistan. He asked for the repatriation with honour of the Pakistani armed forces as well as the peaceful evacuation of West Pakistan civilians opting for transfer to the western wing. The safety of those settled in East Pakistan since 1947 should be ensured and a guarantee should be given against reprisals.

The proposal was at once brought to the notice of the President of the Security Council. It propounded a five-point plan that sought a ceasefire and the evacuation of West Pakistani civilians, transfer of power to the elected representatives of the people of East Pakistan, and the phased withdrawal of Pakistani forces.

These proposals were however not approved by Yahya Khan as he felt that the Governor’s suggestions were tantamount to accepting an independent East Pakistan. Yahya Khan believed that Malik’s efforts should be confirned to securing the end of hostilities and a guarantee from the UN for “peace, tranquillity, and against reprisals.” Meanwhile, Maj Gen Rao Farman Ali, Niazi’s adviser on civil affairs, had with the tacit consent of the Governor passed on the proposal to Paul M. Henry, representative of the UN Secretariat in New York.

The proposal was at once brought to the notice of the President of the Security Council. It propounded a five-point plan that sought a ceasefire and the evacuation of West Pakistani civilians, transfer of power to the elected representatives of the people of East Pakistan, and the phased withdrawal of Pakistani forces. The proposal visualised that the Soviet, British, French and US representatives in Dacca and the Chinese delegation in New York should jointly take control of East Pakistan and implement its provisions.

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