But some eventful episode upset their first attempt to reach Pakistani commander Lieutenant General AAK Niazi, whom they reached subsequently carrying a message from Indian Major General Gandharv Nagra. “While the battalion made a triumphant entry, Colonel Pannu, with me and a few other officers, made a dash to General Niazi at his headquarters. “As we entered Pakistan’s Eastern Command Headquarters and parked our jeeps next to General Niazi’s office, a smartly attired, tall and well-built soldier confronted us,” wrote the then Indian captain. Shortly thereafter at 10:42 am, he said, the Indian officers detachment reentered Dhaka to hand over Nagra’s chit to Niazi. Pakistani military spokesman Major Siddiq Salik in his book “Witness to Surrender” described the subsequent episodes ahead of the formal surrender negotiations an hour later after Indian Eastern Front’s general staff chief Major General JFR Jacob.

Source: Dhaka Tribune December 15, 2020 07:52 UTC