16 Dec 1971

16 Dec 1971 and fall of Dhaka is one of the most tragic and painful chapter in the history of Paksitan. Tragedy within that great tragedy is even after 45 years still officially state of Pakistan never told our coming generations about reasons and factors that lead to that tragic end. There is no doubt since the creation of that nation India and Pakistan are hostile and enemy to each other and India did what enemies normally do. Indian attack on East Pakistan in 1971 and training of Mukti Bahini was one chapter of the story. Pakistan as a nation still keep ignoring its own mistakes and only highlighting enemy’s contribution.

Following are essential readings on this subject for the folks they are in search of truth (most of these sources are available online):

1. Witness to surrender by Siddique Salik

2. Kitna Qareeb Kitna Door by Mahmood Shaam

3. The Great Tragedy by Z. A. Bhutto

4. One of the prime source on that tragedy is “War Enquiry Commission Report” known as Hammoodur Rahman Commission. The Final Report also called Supplementary Reports is still remained classified in Pakistan but from time to time the parts of that leaked to media.

5. Shahabnama by Qudrat Ullah Shahab (chapters relating to early years of Pakistan)

We should always remember: If we do not learn from the mistakes of history, we are doomed to repeat them.