Page 3 - ch 19

India-Pakistan War-1971 Module - V

Major Wars Post
Independence
What is Genocide?
Deliberate killing of large group of people particularly of the same nationalistic group,
by the ruling junta.

The reasons for this war were - Note
 An elected political party in East Pakistan, the Awami League was not allowed
to form the government was banned.

 Military rule was imposed. Army committed atrocities and killed many Bengalis.
 Bengalis fled and about 10 million refugees came to Assam and West Bengal.
This caused serious economic crises in India.
 General strike in East Pakistan and formation of Mukti Bahini to fight Pakistan
army.
 India openly supported the freedom struggle of the people of East Pakistan.

Intext Questions 19.1

1. Mention any two immediate reasons for India’s involvement in the war.

2. Who was the military ruler of Pakistan during the war?
3. What is Awami League and who was its leader?
4. What was the other name for Mukti Bahini and why was it created?

19.1.1 How did Bangladesh get Liberated?

First let us understand this question, one by one. When and where did the fighting
begin? And what were the objectives of India?
 The war began on 3rd December 1971 when Pakistani air force launched strikes
on air fields in Western India and the very next day India declared war and
retaliated with air strikes. However, even before the actual war began, the Indian
Army’s Eastern Command started preparing for Eastern Operations as early as
April and May 1971. The command was given the responsibility of training and
equipping the Mukti Bahini freedom fighters who were by then engaged in guerrilla
war against the Pakistani army in the East.

 Objectives for the Armed Forces. The Indian Armed Forces had two major
tasks. These were:-
 Liberate East Pakistan from the rule of West Pakistan;

 Make sure Pakistan did not take this opportunity to make head ways
in Jammu and Kashmir.

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MILITARY HISTORY 59