'First in Dacca' to be recounted with year-long fanfare events in India

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: "First in Dacca" refers to how the troops of the Shillong based 101 area reached Dhaka before the Pakistani troops. This strategic development ultimately compelled the Pakistani troops under Lt General A. Niazi to surrender before the Indian Army on December 16, 1971.

As part of the golden jubilee celebration of 'Indian Victory', the 101 area formation has charted out a series of of programmes throughout the year across Assam and Meghalaya. To be commemorated as 'Swarnim Vijay Varsh', the varied events include felicitation of the war veterans and 'Veer Naris' besides events like band displays, seminars, exhibitions, equipment displays, film festivals, conclaves and other adventure-related actitivities.

Speaking to newspersons on Saturday, Brigadier Usman rekindled the special achievment of the Shillong-based 101 Army formation on December 16,1971. "On This day, the first Indian troops entered Dhaka from the 101 Communication Zone under the leadership of Major General G.S. Nagra resulting in the surrender of 93,000 troops of Pakistan before the Indian armed forces. During this historic victory of India, the Shillong-based garrison was part of the frontline unit.

The 101 Area of the Indian Army will herald the day of victory in a few months' time.

Mentionably, the Caribou plane thay had transported General Niazi from the presentday Dhaka to Kolkata is an antique piece that stands tall at the Eastern Air Command Headquarters. Various other replicas of the 1971 war are preserved in the Rhino Musuem, Shillong. According to to Brigadier Usman, the celebration will be a big reminder of the legacy of Shillong and the State in the stellar role of Indian armed forces during the occasion in Dacca.

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