<P> When the conflict started, the war immediately took a decisive turn in favor of India and their Bengali rebels militarily and diplomatically . On both front, Pakistan launched several ground offensives but Indian Army held their grounds and initiated well - coordinated ground operations on both fronts . Major ground attacks were concentrated on the western border by the Pakistan Army together with the Pakistan Marines in south border but the Indian Army was successful in penetrating into the Pakistani soil and eventually made some quick and initial gains, including capturing around 5,795 square miles (15,010 km) of Pakistan territory as the land gained by India in Azad Kashmir, Punjab and Sindh sectors was later ceded in the Simla Agreement of 1972, as a gesture of goodwill . Casualties inflicted to Pakistan Army's I Corps and II Corps were very high and many soldiers were perished due to lack of operational planning and lack of coordination within the army's formations against Indian Army's Southern and Western Commands . By the time the war came to end, Pakistan army soldiers and marines were highly demoralized both emotionally and psychologically on the western front and had left with no will to put up a defensive fight against the approaching Indian Army soldiers . </P> <P> The War Enquiry Commission later exposed the fact that for the Pakistan Army, the arms and training of soldiers and officers were needed at every level, and every level of command . </P> <P> On 23 November 1971, the Indian Army conventionally penetrated to the eastern fronts and cross the East Pakistan's borders to join their Bengali nationalist allies . As contrary to 1965 war which had emphasised set - piece battles and slow advances, this time the strategy adopted was a swift, three - pronged assault of nine infantry divisions with attached armoured units and close air support that rapidly converged on Dhaka, the capital of East Pakistan . Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora, the GOC - in - C of the India's Eastern Command, led the Indian full thrust into East Pakistan and as the Indian Eastern Command attacked the Pakistan Eastern Command, the Indian Air Force rapidly destroyed the small air contingent in East Pakistan and put the Dhaka airfield out of commission . In the meantime, the Indian Navy effectively blockaded East Pakistan . </P> <P> The Indian campaign employed "blitzkrieg" techniques, exploiting weakness in the enemy's positions and bypassing opposition, and resulted in a swift victory . Faced with insurmountable losses, the Pakistani military capitulated in less than a fortnight and psychological panic spread in the Eastern Command's military leadership . Indian advances in East created psychological panics that demoralized the Pakistani soldiers and their Bengali soldiers who were left with great worries at the hands of Mukti Bahini . Subsequently, the Indian Army encircled Dacca and ultimately issued an ultimatum to surrender in "30 - minutes" time window on 16 December 1971 . Upon hearing the ultimatum, the Pakistan Eastern Command led by its commander Lieutenant - General A.A.K. Niazi stationed in East Pakistan surrendered without putting a fight or offering any resistance . On 16 December 1971, Pakistan ultimately called for unilateral ceasefire and surrendered its combined military to Indian Army--hence ending the Indo - Pakistani war of 1971 . </P>

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