India paid Tribute to its Martyred Soldiers on the 40th Anniversary of Vijay Diwas

The 40th anniversary of vijay diwas was celebrated on 16 December 2011 marking the finest hour of the Indian armed forces when they defeated Pakistan, leading to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971. The Pakistani Army had surrendered on this day and Bangladesh was liberated after a 13 day-long battle. 90000 Pakistani troops had surrendered tothe Indian Army along with their top commanders in East Pakistan.

Dhaka, the then capital of East Pakistan, fell to the Indian forces on 16 December 1971. Lt. Gen. A K Niazi, commanding the Pakistani troops in the eastern sector, surrendered to the Indian Armed Forces led by the then General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora. Niazi also signed the Instrument of Surrender that resulted in the birth of Bangladesh.

India paid tribute to its martyred soldiers, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of its victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war that resulted in the liberation of East Pakistan now called Bangladesh.

Number of soldiers and officers on the Indian and Bangladeshi sides were awarded the highest gallantry award of their respective countries. While the Indian Army was awarded three Param Vir Chakras, the Indian Air Force earned its sole PVC following the daring act of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon who single-handedly thwarted a Pakistani Air Force attack on Srinagar.

Except Major Hoshiyar Singh who retired as Brigadier later on, all the awards were given posthumously.