Instrument of Surrender facts for kids
The Instrument of Surrender (Bengali: আত্মসমর্পনের দলিল) was a very important written agreement. It marked the end of the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. This document allowed the Pakistan Armed Forces to officially surrender to the Bangladesh-India Allied Forces.
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The Historic Surrender
The surrender happened on December 16, 1971, in a place called Ramna Race Course in Dacca, Bangladesh. Thousands of people were there, cheering loudly.
Two main leaders signed the agreement. One was Lieutenant-General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi. He was the joint commander of the Pakistani forces in East Pakistan. The other was Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora. He was the joint commander of the Bangladesh-India Allied Forces.
Two other important people witnessed the signing. They were Air Commodore A. K. Khandker, who was a deputy commander for the Bangladesh Armed Forces, and Lieutenant General J. F. R. Jacob from the Indian Eastern Command.
After the Surrender
After the surrender, about 93,000 Pakistani soldiers and officials became prisoners-of-war (POWs) of the Indian Army. This was one of the largest groups of POWs since World War II.
These prisoners were later sent back to their home country in 1973. This happened because of an agreement called the Delhi Agreement.
What the Document Said
The Instrument of Surrender was a clear and important document. Here are the main things it stated:
- Surrender of All Forces: The Pakistan Eastern Command agreed to surrender all its forces in Bangladesh. This included their land, air, and naval forces. It also covered their special police and civilian armed groups.
- Where to Surrender: These forces had to put down their weapons. They were to surrender at their current locations to the closest regular troops under Lieutenant-General Jagjit Singh Aurora's command.
- Following Orders: Once the document was signed, the Pakistan Eastern Command had to follow Lieutenant-General Jagjit Singh Aurora's orders. Not following orders would be a serious breach of the surrender terms.
- Final Decisions: If there was any confusion about the surrender terms, Lieutenant-General Jagjit Singh Aurora's decision would be final.
- Treatment of Soldiers: Lieutenant-General Jagjit Singh Aurora promised that all surrendering soldiers would be treated with dignity and respect. This was in line with the Geneva Convention, which sets rules for how prisoners of war should be treated.
- Safety for Others: The agreement also guaranteed the safety of all Pakistani military and special police forces who surrendered. It also promised protection for foreign citizens, minority groups, and people from West Pakistan.
Where to See the Document
You can see this important document today. It is on display in the National Museum in Delhi, India.
