Article Posted on : - Dec 10, 2009

The Su-30 MKI supersonic fighters will fly for the first time in the skies of Kolkata to mark Vijay Diwas. Image credit: IAF

KOLKATA (PTI): Vijay Diwas to mark India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war would be celebrated here on December 16 with a flypast for the first time by IAF's Sukhoi-30 MKI supersonic fighter aircraft on December 14 and 15.

The programmes would span four days and would include participation by 14 Mukti Joddhas and three service officers from Bangladesh, Major General Munish Sibal, MGGS, Eastern Command said here Wednesday.

Several former Indian Army generals have also been invited to participate in the celebrations, including Gen J F R Jacob, known as one of the masterminds in India's win over Pakistan and the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971.

On December 16, 1971, within 12 days of the commencement of the war, Dhaka fell to the Indian Army and Lt Gen A A K Niazi of Pakistan surrendered to Indian armed forces, giving birth to Bangladesh which was till then known as East Pakistan.