পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বাদশ খণ্ড).pdf/৯৬৮

b8S বাংরাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ দ্বাদশ খন্ড In the Eastern Sector, our troops are acting in concert with Mukti Bahini. Under our pressure, the Pakistani occupying troops are falling back. The Jessore airfield was captured by us this morning. All areas west of Kaliganj have been completely cleared of Pak troops. The important highway from Meherpur via Jhenida to Goalandoghat ferry has been cut. In Hilli/Dinajpur area our troops are advancing towards the Rangpur-Bogra highway. Lalmonirhat, with its airfield has been captured. The area north of Kurigram, Rangpur, Dinajpur is now free of occupying forces. The hon'ble Members are aware of the capture of Akhaura two days ago. The strategic centres of Maulvi Bazar and Brahmanbaria are now surrounded. Feni was vacated by Pak troops yesterday; the forward elements of our troops are now racing towards the Chandpur Ferry. In Bangladesh, the Pak Air Force has been virtually wiped out; our air supremacy in that area is complete. From the sea, installations of military value have been pounded around Chittagong, Chalna, Mongla and Khulna. All maritime connection between the occupying forces and West Pakistan has been completely severed. The hon'ble Members are aware of the daring operation carried out by the Indian Navy on the night of 4/5th December. Two Pakistani warships have been sunk and one is believed to have been seriously damaged. Our Naval Fore penetrated to within 15 miles of the Karachi harbour. Their bombardment has inflicted severe damage on the harbour installation and oil storage tanks. In the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Navy was able to sink one Pakistani submarine. The Eastern fleet is now operating off the Pak occupied coast in Bangladesh. The three services are working on a highly integrated point plan of operations. The efficiency with which these plans have been executive and the mutual support which one arm has provided to the other have been gratifying. About the U.N., I have to inform the House that a safe conduct was given to a U.N. Aircraft C-130 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on December 6th. This could not be utilized by the U.N. At the request of the U.N. Representative in New Delhi, a safe conduct for U.N. aircraft was given for December 7th effective from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. (IST). There have been no operations over the Dacca area since 10 p.m. last night. It has been reported from Dacca that a U. N. aircraft has been damaged over the Dacca airfield. The Air Headquarters have confirmed that no Indian aircraft have been operating in that area up to this time. The U. N. have been advised to investigate in Dacca with regard to the damage reported to have been inflicted on the aircraft. I would like, on behalf of the Members, to communicate to the Armed Forces the appreciation of the House for the valiant way in which they are defending the country and defeating the enemy. 13.20 hrs The Lok Sabha then adjourned till Ten of the Clock on Wednesday, December 8, 1971/Agrahayana 17, 1893 (Saka)