Documents and cards in his boots, a young 20-year-old Pakistani army officer stationed in the Sialkot sector managed to get to India in March 1971 when the atrocities were taking place in East Pakistan and genocide was being planned.
Details of the Pakistani army deployment and 20 rupees in his pocket were his most prized possessions when he crossed the border and was eventually grilled at the border by Indian forces on suspicion of him being a Pakistani spy.
He was soon taken to Pathankot, where high-ranking military officers interrogated him. When he presented documents about the Pakistani army’s operation, the officers knew it was serious business.
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The soldier was sent to Delhi, where he stayed in a safe house for months, before moving to East Pakistan to train the Mukti Bahini in guerrilla warfare to take on the Pakistani army.
This is the story of Lieutenant Colonel Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir (Retd) who later served in the Bangladesh Army and is a highly decorated officer.
Lt. Col. Zahir proudly says that Pakistan has had a death sentence pending on his behalf for 50 years, which is almost on display as a badge of honor.
Awarded with Bir Protik, the Indian equivalent of the Vir Chakra for bravery, and Bangladesh’s highest civil honor – Swadhinata Padak, he is no stranger to laurels.
President Kovind presented Padma Shri to Lt Col Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir on Tuesday Twitter @rashtrapatibhvn
Now, Lieutenant Colonel Zahir has been awarded the Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian awards in India, in recognition of his sacrifices and his contribution to India’s success in the war against Pakistan in 1971, which led to the establishment of Bangladesh.
The award was presented at a time when India and Bangladesh are celebrating 50 years of war. By the way, Sajjad was 71 years old.
“Jinnah’s Pakistan has become a Kabristan for us”
It was the atrocities against his own people in what was then East Pakistan that sparked everything. He tells his fascinating story: “I have a photographic memory and clearly remember every event.”
He recalls his reasons for fleeing Pakistan: “Jinnah’s Pakistan became a Kabristan (cemetery) for us. We were treated like second class citizens with no rights. We were a disadvantaged population. We never had a democracy like it was. ” promised; we only got martial law. Jinnah said we had equal rights, but we didn’t have any. We were treated like servants of Pakistan. “
READ: How the 1971 Indo-Pak War Hero’s Medal Disappeared | Insights into India Today
“As a member of the Pakistani elite parabrigade in Sialkot, I was an isolated person. But then I thought I had three people inside me, me and me. So I started planning which route to take, the Shakargah route towards Jammu, which was probably the least patrolled, “he recalls.
As a second generation military officer, he takes pride in all who serve their country. His father was an officer in the British Army and was part of the Burma (Myanmar) action in World War II. His teenage brother was part of the Mukti Bahini who fought for the freedom of Bangladesh.
Remembering the escape from Pakistan, Battle of Shakargarh
He remembers his escape from Pakistan, he says, when he crossed to India he was shot by the Pakistani side. In return, the Border Security Force (BSF) on the Indian side responded with fire.
“I jumped into a large ravine and was sure that the shooting would continue from both sides.
He was later taken to Delhi, where he spoke to high-ranking officials from various agencies for months.
Lt Col (r.) Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir in conversation with India Today in New Delhi
“They never told me that I was in custody. I was given good food, they treated me well, but asked me not to leave the house in the Safdarjung enclave. Very senior officers came and talked to me day and night. “
Lt. Col. Sajjad, who describes himself as a master of map reading and night navigation, says he was careful with his coordinates and gave Indian officers detailed information about Pakistani operations.
Lt. Col. Sajjad says the Indian army invaded Pakistani territory 56 miles in the Battle of Shakargarh and refused to credit India’s success in the sectors on which it provided information.
“Pakistanis Fought for an Unjust Cause”
From Delhi he was sent to East Pakistan, where he served in a hilly camp on the border between Tripura and Assam, where 850 Mukti Bahini men lived and trained them in guerrilla warfare.
“When soldiers fight, they fight for justice; Pakistanis fought for an unjust cause. The army that has been involved in rape, murder, pillage and genocide has no morals to fight. That is why they surrendered.”
He praises the Indian army and says that after the surrender, the Indian army protected the Pakistani army. Otherwise they would not have survived and would have been killed by Mukti Bahini.
“Sorry for taking you and attacking Kargil and other places in India. They weren’t grateful that Indian forces saved their lives,” he added.
Ultimately, Lt Col Sajjad appeals to the young generation in Bangladesh and India.
“We fought together and won a tremendous victory in 1971; it was the best hour for India and Bangladesh. But new generations are forgetting their glorious past, which is 1971. We should teach our children something. It was tragic, but it has a lot to do.” ” Lessons to be learned for the cause of humanity. “
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