| শিরোনাম | সূত্র | তারিখ |
| ১২৯। হর্ষধ্বনির মধ্য দিয়ে ভারতীয়দের ঢাকা প্রবেশ | ওয়াশিংটন পোষ্ট | ১৭ ডিসেম্বর, ১৯৭১ |
THE WASHINGTON POST, DECEMBER 17, 1971
WAR IN EAST ENDS-INDIANS ENTER DACCA
TO MARIGOILDS AND CHEERS
Dacca, December 16-Indian army troops entered Dacca today to the cheers of thousands of Bengalis shouting"Jai Bangla" (Victory for Bengal).
The composite force of Indian troops and East Pakistani guerrillas, commanded by Major-General Gandhar Naagra, assaulted a bridge on Dacca's outskirts in the early morning and then received word that the Pakistani command here had accepted India's ultimatum to surrender.
Naagra said he sent a note across town to the Pakistani military headquarters at about 8-30 a.m. local time (10 p.m. Wednesday EST) and received an immediate reply that there would be no further Pakistani resistance. He then entered the city with his men.
He met with Pakistan's commander here, Lt.-Gen.A.A.K. Niazi, about 10 a.m. “We are old friends", Naagra said, “from college days".
The Indian General then went to Dacca airport to await the arrival of the Chief of Staff of India's Eastern Command, Maj-Gen. J. F. R. Jacob, who came by helicopter from his Calcutta headquarters.
At the airport, the General, with only three Indian soldiers nearby, stood twirling his rough-wood walking stick, while the Pakistani airport defense units grouped at the far end of the runway to move to their surrender point.
Armed Pakistani soldiers far outnumbered Indians in the streets for several hours, and there was sporadic shooting. Several Indians -and Pakistanis were killed, including an Indian officer shot outside the Intercontinental Hotel.
Mukti Bahini men— Members of East Pakistan's liberation army mingled with civilians in the happy crowds and fired their rifles in the air.
Naagra sent Brig. H. S. Kler, Commander of the 95th Mountain Brigade, to the Intercontinental Hotel, a neutral zone under Red Cross auspices, to attempt to protect foreigners and the former civilian government of East Pakistan, which has taken refugee there.
Kler's car was repeatedly mobbed by Bengalis as he moved through the streets. At one point, the crowd tried to yank his driver out of the car and Kler stepped out. only to have Bengalis throw themselves around his neck while one pressed a bunch of marigolds into his hands.r
