On this day in 1971, the country was at the doorstep of the glorious victory as it was only a matter of time to emerge an independent and sovereign state named Bangladesh in the world map.
Lakhs of Bangladesh’s national flags with a green background, a red circle and a yellow map of the country in the middle were seen either hoisting or flying everywhere across the country on December 8 in 1971. On this day, Pakistan army regiments became detached from each other and they had no choice without fleeing back to Dhaka.
The allied force officials took three steps and asked the Pakistan Army to surrender.
General Jagjit Singh was told to march toward Dhaka with his troops.
A proposal of immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of Indian and Pakistani troops from Bangladesh was granted in the UN general assembly. Indian representative in the assembly Sri Samar Sen said that Pakistan had to accept Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign state.
To restore peace in the subcontinent, Awami League chief Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had to be freed.
Meanwhile, a brigade was told to march forward towards Mymensingh from Haluaghat.
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, chief of the then Indian Army, asked the occupying Pakistan force to surrender and assure them that Geneva Convention would be followed to treat the surrendered Pakistan troops.
This message was broadcast in Akashbani radio repeatedly.
Troops of General Sagat Singh entered from the eastern frontier and marched forward towards the west.
A faction advanced towards Ashuganj while another reached Ashuganj Bridge.
The 57th Mountain division of Indian Army reached Brahmanbaria. Pakistani troops left the district before they reached.
Meanwhile, S-Force reached Sarail without any resistance.
In the evening, rebel 11th East Bengal Regiment enter Azampur and Durgapur beside Ashuganj 2nd East Bengal Regiment and a battalion of soldiers advanced in between Sarail and Shahbajpur.
The 10th Bihar Regiment of Indian Army’s 311th Mountain Brigade gathered south of Durgapur.
As earlier Gopalganj, Sherpur, Noakhali, Kumilla, Bogura, Sreepur upazila of Gazipur and Balaganj of Sylhet, Habiganj, Jashore, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Thakurgaon and Kamalpur, a frontier area in Bakshiganj upazila under Jamalpur district were liberated by the freedom fighters with the allied forces. A wave of joy started across the country.
On the other hand, the government has taken various programmes at national level to celebrate the Victory Day-2020 on December 16 with due respect and solemnity.
But, the Victory Day parade will not be held this year due to the ongoing the coronavirus pandemic, said a press release of the Liberation War Affairs Ministry, according to agency.
