Indo-Pak War of 1971

Why in news?

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will light up 'Swarnim Vijay Mashaal' at the National War Memorial (NWM) in Delhi and kickstart the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

About the war of 1971:

• The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military confrontation between India and Pakistan that occurred during the liberation war in East Pakistan from 3 December 1971 to the fall of Dacca (Dhaka) on 16 December 1971.
• The war began with preemptive aerial strikes on 11 Indian air stations, which led to the commencement of hostilities with Pakistan and Indian entry into the war of independence in East Pakistan on the side of Bengali nationalist forces.
• Before the war Soviet Union had signed the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in August 1971 which helped avoid US intervention in the war.

Major operations/Battles:

• Operation Chengiz Khan: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) launched surprise pre-emptive strikes on eleven airfields in north-western India, including Agra.
• Operation Trident: Indian Navy attacked and destroyed many Pakistan navy ships at Karachi debilitating the Pakistani navy for the rest of the war.
• Battle of Basantar, Boyra, Turktuk, Kamlpur etc.

Conclusion

• The Shimla Agreement, signed between India and Pakistan on 3 July 1972 paved the way for diplomatic recognition of Bangladesh by Pakistan, converted the cease-fire line of 17 December 1971 into the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan in Kashmir and agreed to solve disputes by bilateral negotiations.

Prelims Question

Consider the following statements: 
1.Operation Cactus was an Indian army intervention in Sri Lanka.
2.Operation Black Thunder was an operation against Khalistan militants in Punjab.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
(a)1 only 
(b)2 only 
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

B

">Answer to prelims question