By 5 December 1971, Bangladesh had come close to victory. Freedom fighters, already in control of large parts of the country, advanced steadily towards Dhaka. The war in Bangladesh became a significant new chapter in global political discourse. The world looked on in amazement as Bengali fighters confronted tanks, artillery and lethal weapons with limited resources, yet displayed extraordinary courage. Pakistan increasingly found itself without allies on the world stage.
As December began, the Pakistani forces were shaken by successive defeats in Bengali frontline battles. The Indian allied forces intensified their assault, leaving the Pakistani troops overwhelmed. Yahya Khan realised that the independence of Bangladesh had become inevitable. Accepting the coming defeat, Pakistan initiated a renewed diplomatic struggle.
Supported by the United States, Pakistan’s military leadership launched extensive diplomatic campaigns. The United States openly took Pakistan’s side. On this day in 1971, the United States presented a resolution to the United Nations Security Council calling for a ceasefire in East Pakistan. It also proposed the withdrawal of military forces from the India–Pakistan border.
Among the 14 members of the Security Council, the Soviet Union and Poland, both strong allies of Bangladesh, opposed the proposal, while 10 nations supported it. Britain and France abstained. To ensure the proposal did not pass, the Soviet Union exercised its veto, causing the resolution to collapse. Pakistan’s final hopes disappeared as it began losing on both the diplomatic and military fronts.
Meanwhile, the Governor of East Pakistan called upon everyone to donate generously to the defence fund to resist Indian attacks. The Pakistani Army Chief further instructed all retired soldiers under the age of 55 up to the rank of Major to report to their nearest recruiting office. President Yahya Khan announced on radio that a war between Pakistan and India had begun, attempting to obscure the Bengali struggle for independence.
But these efforts could not suppress the Bengalis. They continued their life-and-death struggle to free their motherland. While freedom fighters fought fiercely and allied forces launched organised attacks, Pakistan’s occupation troops, desperate to survive, began searching for ways to surrender to the valiant Bengalis.
Glive24/SS