New Delhi, December 10 (UNI) The Indian Air Force on Wednesday commemorated India’s victory in the 1971 war at Air Force Station Mohanbari in Assam.
The event paid a rich tribute to the bravery and valour of the Indian Armed Forces. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, senior military and civilian dignitaries, veterans, and a large number of youth from Assam attended the event.
A flying display by Su-30 MKI, C-130, Dornier, An-32, Chinook, Mi-17, ALH and Cheetah aircraft recreated key missions of the 1971 war, which included the Tangail Airdrop, Meghna River Crossing, and the attack on Government House at Dhaka. The display highlighted the operational capability and mission readiness of the Indian Air Force.
A seminar on ‘Air Operations during the 1971 War’ was conducted on the occasion, during which Air Veterans shared anecdotes and experiences from their participation in the war. An exhibition titled ‘Triumph from the Sky-71’, showcased a rare archival of photographs from the period of war, and it also included a replica of the ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashal’, the ceremonial flame marking India’s decisive victory.
The 1971 war between India and Pakistan broke out on December 3 after Pakistan launched pre-emptive air strikes on multiple Indian air bases, even as the turmoil in East Pakistan intensified. The 13-day conflict concluded on December 16 with the surrender of nearly 93,000 Pakistani troops, marking one of the largest military surrenders since World War II and leading to the birth of Bangladesh as an independent nation.
