CHRONOLOGY OF THE 1971 INDIA-PAKISTAN WAR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B01737A002000010049-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 1, 2004
• Sequence Number: 49
• Publication Date: April 19, 1972
• Content Type: REPORT

Apprd
25X1
State Department review
completed
19 April 1972
ovemberx Indian Prime minister Gandhi was
pursuing a policy of gradually increasing support for the
Bengalis. Indian troops had already entered Last Pakistan
in battalion strength. Her policy was designed to force
Pakistani President Yahya to negotiate with the Bengalis
their terra by making his only alternative a military defeat
in East Pakistan ostensibly by the rebels, but actually
with enough Indian help so that the rebels r success was
guaranteed. Mrs. Gandhi was well aware that pursuing this
policy could lead to an all-out war with Pakistan, but she
was willing to accept this risk.
21 The Indians escalated operations in East Pakis
with an attack in the Jessore area, which they later
characterized as between brigade and division level.
22 Three Pakistani F-86s were shot down--apparently
over India--during the Jessore operation.
2 President Yahya accused India of aggression and
d#solarnd a state of emergency. Fighting continued in Fast
Pakistan.
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/01/31 : CIA-RDP79BO1737AO02000010049-6
 Approved For Release 2005/01/31 : CIA-RDP79BO1737AO02000010049-6
25X1
The Indians began attacking in the Uilli area of East
Pak is taan .
India announced that Indian troops and
ticipated in "defensive" actions inside
had
istan.
The Pakistanis said they would welcome any big power
to end Indian aggression. Islamabad ordered a
general military mobilization.
Deputy Foreign Minister Xuznetsov told Ambassador
that noscow was making new efforts to prevent a war
n the subcontinent.
"a point of no return."
Yahya said in a speech that he hoped to avoid a "con-
flagration" but adder that the situation was moving toward
Indians acknowledged a now "self--defens
nto East Pakistan.
Indian President iri and Defense Minister Ram said
Pakistan could restore normal relations with India
only by releasing Sheikh Mujibur Raluaan and negotiating
with him.
saran Singh told Ambassador Keating that he was
optimistic that there would not be a full-scale war.
Moscow asked Pakistan to desist from escalating the
conflict and come to terms with the Bengalis.
Yaehya banned the potentially separatist relational
Party.
25X1
Appro
 Approved For Release 2005/01/31 : CIA-RDP79BO1737AO02000010049-6
~j 27
eas *
Gandhi began a series of tours to border
Indian cabinet turned down the negotiation
the new Indian high ca issioner
htal
K
of s
,
.
.
to Islamabad. In Islamabad, ,tal had been encouraged by
_ _ - _ _. "- -3 - `-U a 99 1- 2:,n 4
negotiations. When he returned to Pakistan Atal
28 Heavy fighting continued in East Pakistan
29 The pace of fighting in East Pakistan picked up,
and tfie- Indians admitted another "defensive" ground strike.
a also was considerable guerrilla activity.
Gandhi returned to New Delhi and again e:T' Sressod
her opposition to submitting the indo-Pakistani problem to
the 1.
Chinese Vice Premier LiHsien-Mraien accused India of
subversive activities and of invading and occupying Pak-
istani territory. it was the strongest Chinese staaternent
thus
in an address to Parliament, demanded t e
Gandhi
M
s
.,
r
.
withdrawal of West Pakistani forces from East Pakistan.
She indicated that India would continue to send troops
across the border.
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/01/31 : CIA-RDP79BO1737AO02000010049-6
 Approved For Release 2005/01/31 : CIA-RDP79BO1737AO02000010049-6
25X1
25X1
December
2 The Indiana announced that they would retaliate
for an alleged--and apparently imaginary--Pakistani attack
on Agartala airfield.
Mrs. Gandhi announced that India would not take orders
from foreigners, was not afraid of a cut-off in aid, and
again demanded Pakistani withdrawal from East Pakistan.
3 The Pakistanis attacked air bases in western India,
claiming that the Indiana were attacking all along the
western front.
In the east? the Indians launched a major attack at
Akhura near Agartala and stepped up operations in other
These actions were prior to the Pakistani air raids
t.
4 The Indian defense secretary said a "no holds
barn" offensive had been launched in the east.
In the West, the Indians began advancing in the Sind,
while the Pakistanis took Chhamb and Khen Karan in the
west. In subsequent days, the Pakistanis launched almost
daily attacks in the Chhan area but were never able to
break through the Indian defenses.
The Indians made air attacks on Karachi and other
cities.
25X1
Apprq
 Approved For Release 2005/01/31 : CIA-RDP79BO1737AO02000010049-6
25X1
take unilateral action to end the fighting. At the UN, the
USSR vetoed the US-sponsored Security Council resolution
calling for a cease-fire.
The Chinese acting foreign minister condemned Ind
and reaffirmed support for Pakistan.
Rosygin, in Denmark, said that the USSR would not
5 Indian OSA-class
destroyer off Karachi.
India recognizes Bangladesh and Pakistan breaks
25X1
25X1
relatTans with India.
Sind.
site boats sank a Pakistani
US citizens were evacuated from Karachi.
The Indians continue to advance in the east and in the
The Indians began a counter-attack in the Sialkot
area. This attack later became serious enough to divert
i forces from the Chhamb area.
General Assembly.
The UN Security Council sent the India-Pakistan problem
7 Yahya announced that ^1urul Amin and Z. A. Bhutto
would-head a future civilian government.
In a speech in Poland, Brezhnev warned against outside
intervention in South Asia.
8 The UN General Assembly adopted the US-sponsored
cease=fire resolution.
Appr4
 Approved For Release 2005/01/31 : CIA-RDP79BO1737AO02000010049-6
25X1
in East Pakistan, the Indians reached the Meghna River
east of Dacca, took Jessore, and advanced towards Pabna
and hulna..
25X1
Indian air raids did extensive
in Karachi.
ge to POL faciliti
9 Indian missile boats attacked foreign shipping in
Karat zi harbor.
The Indians crossed the Meghna River near Dacca and
opened up a multi-pronged attack from Jessore.
10 Farman Ali, the military adviser to the governor
25X1
i n doub
of .Eat Pakistan, proposed a cease-fire that amounted to a
surrender, claiming Yahya approved the action. Later in
the day this offer was withdrawn, and Islamabad proposed a
cease-fire that would have left the status of East Pakistan
Bhutto arrived in New York for the UN debate..
11 The Indians advanced to a point 36 miles north
of Dacca.
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/01/31 : CIA-RDP79BO1737AO02000010049-6
 Approved For Release 2005/01/31 : CIA-RDP79BO1737AO02000010049-6
i 25X1
Swaran Singh arrived in iiew York.
12 After more than a week of false starts, foreigners
were evacuated from Dacca.
Kuznetsov arrived in New Delhi and Mrs. Gandh.
confidant, D. P. Ohar, arrived in Moscow.
13 The Indians prepared for the final assault on
Dacca and advanced to within 20 miles of Chittagong.
14 Governor Malik and Farman Ali tried to arrange a
surrener in the east but were opposed by army commander
zi.. Later, tiazi asked the US consul in Dacca to
transmit his own cease-fire terms (in effect a surrender)
to the Indians. ie claimed full authority from Yahya.
The Indians demanded that any cease-fire be accom-
panieay the surrender of Pakistani troops in the east and
gave the Pakistanis 16 hours to decide.
The Pakistanis in the east surrendered, but Yahya
o fight on in the west.
17 Yahya agreed to a cease-fire in the west.
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/01/31 : CIA-RDP79BO1737AO02000010149-6