Back in 1971, during the Bharat-Pakistan war, Brigadier Ajit Apte discovered a unique memento—a “love letter” from a Pakistani Lieutenant named Khurban Raza. This discovery happened in Khulna, where Apte was stationed as a 20-year-old second Lieutenant. The letter, dated September 24, 1971, contained the words “Crush India” from Raza’s girlfriend in Karachi. Apte kept the letter safe, even laminating it, and interestingly, he later found out that Raza was from his own school in Lucknow.
On December 18, 1971, Apte celebrated his 21st birthday in Khulna after the Indian Army successfully captured the area. The victory was marked by the surrender of Pakistani officers, including Lieutenant Raza. Apte shared this nostalgic tale during a special program organized by the Army’s Eastern Command in Kolkata as part of the Vijay Diwas celebrations.
During the program, Apte emphasized the profound learning experience he gained as a young officer during the war. He highlighted the satisfaction derived from applying the knowledge acquired at the National Defence Academy within just eight months of his service.
The Vijay Diwas celebrations brought together war veterans who shared their stories of valor during the 1971 war. The emotional connection between Bharat and Bangladesh, forged through the shared triumph over Pakistan, was a recurring theme. Lt General Rana Pratap Kalita, General Officer Commanding-In-Chief of the Eastern Command, expressed the deep emotional bond between the two countries, emphasizing the shared history, sacrifices, and mutual respect.
December 16, 1971, holds historical significance as the day when around 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered to the combined forces of the Indian Army and the Mukti Bahini. This event led to the creation of Bangladesh, and December 16 is celebrated annually as Victory Day in India to commemorate this triumph. The emotional ties between Bharat and Bangladesh, as reflected in the stories and memories shared by veterans, continue to strengthen the bond between the two nations.
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