<Tr> <Td> "</Td> <Td> All unprejudiced persons objectively surveying the grim events in Bangladesh since March 25 have recognised the revolt of 75 million people, a people who were forced to the conclusion that neither their life, nor their liberty, to say nothing of the possibility of the pursuit of happiness, was available to them </Td> <Td>" </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="3">--Indira Gandhi, Letter to Richard Nixon, 15 December 1971 </Td> </Tr> <P> Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had concluded that instead of taking in millions of refugees, it was economical to go to war against Pakistan . As early as 28 April 1971, the Indian Cabinet had asked General Manekshaw (Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee) to "Go into East Pakistan". Hostile relations in the past between India and Pakistan added to India's decision to intervene in Pakistan's civil war . Resultantly, the Indian government decided to support the creation of a separate state for ethnic Bengalis by supporting the Mukti Bahini . For this, RAW, helped to organise, train and arm these insurgents . Consequently, the Mukti Bahini succeeded in harassing Pakistani military in East Pakistan, thus creating conditions conducive for a full - scale Indian military intervention in early December . </P> <P> The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) launched a pre-emptive strike on Indian Air Force bases on 3 December 1971 . The attack was modelled on the Israeli Air Force's Operation Focus during the Six - Day War, and intended to neutralise the Indian Air Force planes on the ground . The strike was seen by India as an open act of unprovoked aggression . This marked the official start of the Indo - Pakistani War . As a response to the attack, both India and Pakistan formally acknowledged the "existence of a state of war between the two countries", even though neither government had formally issued a declaration of war . </P>

Who is heading the indian army during bangladesh liberation war 1971