India celebrates December 16 as ‘Vijay Diwas’ commemorating Indian forces victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war also known as the ‘Bangladesh Liberation War, 1971’.
On this day, a 13-day war (from December 4 to 16) ended with the surrender of more than 93,000 Pakistani troops and which led to the creation of the state of Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, this day is celebrated as ‘Bijoy Dibas’.
Here’s a look at archives from the 1971 war leading to the victory and thereafter-
Indian Air Force Archives
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The first aerial engagement between IAF & PAF in the buildup to 1971 war took place on 22 Nov, when IAF Gnats intercepted PAF Sabres over Boyra. In the ensuing dogfight, three PAF sabres were claimed by the IAF Gnats, with two crashing in Indian territory. (Photo: IAF)

The IAF aircraft inventory in 1971 was estimated at approximately six hundred and twenty-five combat aircraft. IAF fighter squadrons operated the MiG-21, Hunter, Su-7, HF-24, Gnat & Mystere aircraft while Canberras and An-12 formed the bomber fleet. (Photo: IAF)

The Eastern Front On 04 Dec 71, IAF flew 109 counter-air missions, one of the targets being Kurmitola airfield. The success of IAF operations allowed shift of forces to the West and in support of Indian Army in the East. (Photo: IAF)

The Western Front On 04 Dec, Hunters struck Kiamari oil installation at Karachi, followed by Canberras in the night. The destruction of the oil installation considerably reduced Pakistan's capacity to continue the War. (Photo: IAF)

The Eastern Front Armed with 500Kg bombs, MiG 21s of No.28 Sqn & No.4 Sqn carried out innovative steep-dive bombing attacks on Kurmitola and Tezgaon airfields, creating irreparable craters and rendering them unusable. (Photo: IAF)

The Western Front Four Hunters of No. 20 Squadron struck the Attock Oil Refinery near Rawalpindi at 0741hrs on 06 Dec. The resultant towering flames & smoke served as a useful navigational aid for the bombers in successive days. (Photo: IAF)
Indian Army Archives
Indian Navy Archives
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Operation Trident, the operation comprising the first missile attack on Karachi harbour, on the night of 04/05 Dec 1971, by Indian Naval Ships Kiltan, Katchall, Nipat, Nirghat and Veer. In its maiden missile-boat operation the Indian Navy destroyed and sank PNS Khyber (a Pakistani destroyer), PNS Muhafiz (a coastal minesweeper) and merchant vessel MV-Venus Challenger. This operation was a watershed in ingenuity and strategic thinking as the Indian Navy used bigger ships to tow these smaller missile boats close to the Pakistani ports - something unthinkable even by those who had built these boats. It is fabled that after the attack, Karachi burnt for seven days. (Photo: Indian Navy)

INS Vikrant and her aircraft, which played a decisive role in the Eastern theatre of the war. Since 04 Dec 71, the aircrafts of Vikrant wreaked havoc on forces stationed in East Pakistan. (Photo: Indian Navy)

The havoc wreaked by Naval aircraft on Chittagong, Cox’s Bazaar, Khulna and Mongla. Naval aircraft faced heavy Anti-air fire from the enemy, they pushed forth with their missions, crippling the enemy war effort on the Eastern front. (Photo: Indian Navy)

On 8 December 1971, the Indian Navy conducted Operation Python, entailing the second missile attack on Keamari oil field at Karachi by Indian Naval Ships Trishul, Talwar and Vinash on the night of 08/09 December 1971. During the missile attack the Indian Navy ships set ablaze oil tanks, sank two merchant vessels (Harmatton and Gulf Star) and destroyed Pakistan Navy’s tanker PNS Dacca. With the attack, the Indian Navy achieved maritime dominance off the approaches to Karachi.

On 9 December, INS Khukri and her daring crew, under the Command of Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla, MVC. Pakistan’s conventional submarine, PNS Hangor, was sighted west of Diu Head. Accordingly, the 14th Anti Submarine Warfare ASW Frigate Squadron, consisting of INS Khukri and Kirpan, led by Captain MN Mulla, set sail on 08 December 1971 for hunting the submarine. During this Hunter-Killer operations, enemy submarine PNS Hangor torpedoed INS Khukri at 2055 hrs on 09 December 1971. The ship went down with 18 officers and 176 men including the Commanding Officer, Captain MN Mulla. We remember the lost warriors, and the ones who survived this ordeal to tell the tale. (Photo: Indian Navy)