India celebrates the 50th anniversary of a historic victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan as ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ as in December...
India celebrates the 50th anniversary of a historic victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan as ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ as in December 1971 Indian Armed Forces secured a decisive victory over Pakistan and liberated East Pakistan as a new nation of Bangladesh. But it would not be possible without the help of Russia(USSR). So today we discussed a story that almost has been erased from our history books or History.
Fifty years ago, in the second week of December in 1971, the United States threatened India to halt the attack against Pak in the 1971 war. Then-Secretary of State and NSA of USA Henry Kissinger advised Richard Nixon(USA President) to send the US 7th Fleet's Task Force, led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise(World's largest Warship) which was then stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin, to the Bay of Bengal. The USS Enterprise, at 75,000 tons, was the world's largest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the 1970s with more than 70 fighter aircraft. A nightmare. The Indian Navy's fleet was led by the 20,000-ton aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, with just 20 light fighter aircraft.
The USA made an official statement that The USS Enterprise was being shipped to secure American citizens. But Unofficially it was supposed to threaten the Indian forces and prevent the liberation of East Pakistan(Now Bangladesh) in addition to this USA also asked their Allies such as Jordan, Iran, France, Turkey to station their aircraft in Pakistan. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union secret services reported to India that a powerful British naval group led by the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle with commando carrier HMS Albion, several destroyers and other ships were hovering India's territorial waters from the west, towards the Arabian Sea. The British and the Americans planned a coordinated attack to frighten India. British ships in the Arabian Sea will attack the west coast of India while the Americans attack Chittagong. Hooked between the British & the American ships was the Indian Navy.
It was in December 1971, and when the world's two prominent democracies were now intimidating the world's largest democracy But India Under the leadership of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Field marshal Sam manekshaw did not panic and sent a request to Moscow to activate Article 9 of the Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Co-operation signed between India- USSR on 9Aug 1971.
In response to New Delhi request USSR immediately dispatched 16 Soviet Naval Units and six submarines and destroyers from Vladivostok on 13 December under Admiral Vladimir to block USS Enterprise and not enable them to close into Indian cities.
On December 2nd week 1971, when the US 7th Fleet's Task Force, led by the monstrous USS Enterprise arrived in the Bay of Bengal. The British fleet was arriving in the Arabian Sea. (later diverted to Madagascar)The world held its breath as two superpowers faceoff each other But, unknown to the Americans, the submerged Soviet submarines had overtaken them. As USS Enterprise moved towards East Pakistan, the Soviet submarines emerged without any warning. The Soviet submarines were now standing between India and the US naval force. The Americans were stunned as the Soviets encloses the USS enterprise and trained their missiles at the Enterprise, they tailed US Taskforce into the Indian Ocean from 18 Dec 1971 until 7 Jan 1972. Admiral Gordon told the 7th American Fleet Commander: "Sir, we are too late. The Soviets are here!"
 |
| source:swarajya |
 |
