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Despite the complex and demanding negotiations during the tumultuous days of March 1971, a positive outcome was possible and seemed near but it came to grief because of the gameplan of extremists of both the sides. The plans for military action to restore the writ of the central authority in East Pakistan was unanimous, finalized by the local military commanders a week before March 25. Given its inevitability only the timing was a surprise.
Operation 'Searchlight' aims were to (1) restore military control over the administration of East Pakistan (2) dismantle the Awami League (AL) by taking Shaikh Mujibur Rahman and his leadership circle into custody and (3) disarm the Bengali troops in the Army, East Pakistan Rifles (EPR) and the police to prevent an organised rebellion.
The fourth aim was to conceal the character and severity of the operations from the West Pakistani population and the international community. All internal and external communications were closed, foreign journalists rounded up and deported. This contributed to force-multiplying the adverse Indian propaganda. Because of the persistent disinformation plan through 1971 the West Pakistani public were mostly unaware of the circumstances availing in East Pakistan, and thus were shocked, at the reasons for the defeat in Dec 1971. It took them and the Pakistan Army personnel (in West Pakistan) many years to come to terms with the truth. Many are still living in self-denial even today.
GOC 14 Division Maj Gen Khadim Hussain Raja briefed Commanders 53 and 107 Brigade in Comilla and Jessore respectively, commanders 23 Brigade in Rangpur and 57 Brigade in Dacca were briefed separately, GSO-I Intelligence 14 Div Lt Col (later Brig) Muhammad Taj SJ took over command of 32 Punjab and...