What was the Greatest Bluff ever made in Indian History-Surrender of Pakistan in 1971 by Sam Manickshaw

The surrender of Pakistan in 1971. Most people think it was a simple affair of 13 days and that under Sam Manekshaw, we won a great victory with minimum loss of lives.

But do you know who was responsible for preventing a major bloodbath? It was F R Jacob, Chief of Staff, Eastern Army Command during the war.

By December 13 1971, the Indian Army had about 3,000 troops outside Dhaka. Meanwhile the American fleet was moving into the Straits of Malacca. The radio signals that were being intercepted from Islamabad to the Pakistani forces in the east said "Fight on, you are getting help from China in the north, and America in the south."

General AAK Niazi, commander of the Pakistani troops in the Eastern sector believed this. Also on December 13, there was an American resolution at the United Nations, which was vetoed by the Soviet Union. The Soviets said no more vetos.

In the meantime General Jacob met with Niazi and realized the latter still had 30,000 troops in Dhaka and could go on fighting for two-three weeks which would lead to loss of more lives. Jacob told Niazi:

"Look general, you surrender, I will ensure your safety, the safety of your families, ethnic minorities, everyone. You will be treated with respect. If you don't I am afraid I can take no responsibility for what happens to you or your families. What is more, we will have no other option but to order the immediate resumption of hostilities. I give you 30 minutes."

The truth was General Jacob had strict orders from Manekshaw to get a surrender at any cost since the fighting was taking a toll on India, not to mention diplomatic pressure.

Luckily Niazi believed Jacob when he was told that the Indian Army had surrounded him on all sides and signed the instrument of surrender. It was later re-signed in the presence of General JS Arora. The rest is history, as this iconic picture shows.

This surrender is unique, the only public surrender in history where a ceasefire was converted into surrender and signed in four hours. Niazi had the capacity to fight on for two to three weeks, and the UN was in session.

Lives were saved, thanks to General Jacob.