India's Secret War: BSF and Nine Months to the Birth of Bangladesh

Description

Triggered by the US-backed Pakistani junta's brutal measures against the Bengalis, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proclaimed the independence of East Pakistan on 26 March 1971. They needed the world's support, and India was their first ally. The Border Security Force (BSF), an elite Indian force, was only five years old at the time and became central to India's sustained military response in East Pakistan for nine months, until the alliance of Indian and Bangladeshi forces won Dacca. The BSF's founding chief, K.F. Rustamji, and his men went beyond their charter of policing borders to respond to one of the world's worst humanitarian crises that was unfolding right next door to India. For nine months, till the 1971 India-Pakistan war, they covertly gave support to the forces of resistance, through clandestine missions and black ops deep in East Pakistan, while diplomats and politicians primed the world for the war. They welcomed democratically elected politicians and helped establish them as the government-in-exile, installed a clandestine radio station, triggered the defections of East Pakistani diplomats and foiled the Pakistan Army's tactical trump card to damage the Indian Air Force bases. With access to classified records and through exhaustive interviews with surviving veterans, award-winning investigative reporter Ushinor Majumdar has crafted this first comprehensive historical account of the BSF's role in the Bangladesh liberation war, which changed the course of South Asian history. About the Author Ushinor Majumdar is an award-winning investigative reporter and author. He has worked for publications such as Outlook, Tehelka, Confluence Media and Hindustan Times. As a freelancer, his reports have appeared in the Mumbai Mirror, OCCRP and the Caravan, and he has also consulted with the BBC. Ushinor is the author of God of Sin: The Cult, Clout and Downfall of Asaram Bapu (2018). Cover Jacket About the book Advance Praise for the Book Title Page Contents List of Abbreviations Prologue 1 : The Bloody Road to Bangladesh 2 : The First Plan 3 : Professor Ali 4 : Mission Sanction 5 : A Helpful Neighbour 6 : Mujibnagar 7 : The Diplomatic Switch A Few Days before the Swearing-in 8 : Demolition Crew 9 : Prisoner of Covert War 10 : Clear, Hold, Blow Up 11 : The Fall of the Subhapur Bridge 12 : The Heroes of Killapara 13 : Radio Revolution 14 : Lt Gen. Aurora’s Monsoon Message 15 : When is Winter Coming? 16 : ‘The BSF Is Making History’ 17 : Capture of Bantara and Bee Stings in Khanpur Capture of Bantara and Mohonpur Border Outpost Capture of Khanpurhat Border Outpost BATTLE OF BANTARA 18 : The Big Gun of Akhaura 19 : Sabotaging Chengiz Khan 20 : Small Ops 21 : A Bullet for Lunch After Monsoon 22 : G-Men 23 : Home-Made Rockets 24 : Nothing’s Quiet on the Western Frontier BSF’s Post Group Artillery Rann of Kutch Rajasthan Jammu and Kashmir Chhamb Sector of J&K Rajouri Sector of J&K 25 :A Surrender in the East 26 : The Road to Dacca Epilogue After the War Dacca The Roll of Honour War Memorial in Tripura Acknowledgements Frontier-Wise Details of BSF Casualties in the 1971 War List of BSF Honours for the Liberation War List of Interviewees Photo Credit THE BEGINNING