On December 15, 1971, marked a crucial juncture in the ongoing Bangladesh War of Liberation, which had initiated on March 26, 1971. By this date, the trajectory of the war had largely been determined, and it was evident that the Pakistani forces had no recourse but to surrender to the Indian forces, supported by the Bangladeshi Muktijoddhas.
In response to General Niazi's proposed ceasefire, the allied forces declared a cessation of air attacks on Dhaka starting from 5:00 am. Simultaneously, they communicated to the Pakistan army that no truce would be considered until their military surrendered, adding a stern
ultimatum: "If the Pakistan army does not capitulate by 9:00 am on December 16, air attacks will resume."
In the afternoon, the allied forces encountered little resistance as they entered Savar. However, as they approached the entrance of Dhaka on Mirpur Bridge, Pakistani troops executed a strategic retreat and ambushed them. The night saw the allied forces advancing towards Dhaka from Savar, with the Kaderia Bahini joining them en route. Confrontations with Pakistan troops at Mirpur Bridge ensued, featuring a commando-style attack from the allied forces and relentless firing from the Pakistani side, resulting in a fierce day-long battle.
Meanwhile, in the Chittagong battlefield, Muktibahini secured additional regions south of Kumira. In the evening, freedom fighters launched an attack on Vatiari, the initial protective defense zone of Chittagong city, with skirmishes extending to Fauzdarhat.
Advancing towards Rangpur, the allied forces cordoned the town and planned an assault on the Rangpur cantonment for the following day, but the surrender of the Pakistani troops rendered it unnecessary.
In Faridpur, the allied forces attacked the Kamarkhali Pakistan army base, forcing a retreat towards Faridpur town. A major general leading the Pakistani military eventually surrendered as the allied forces closed in.
Dr. Alim Chowdhury, a courageous eye specialist who risked his life to aid freedom fighters, fell victim to Al-Badr assassins who not only brutally gouged his eyes but also took his life. Maulana Mannan, residing at Alim's residence, collaborated with the enemy to apprehend him.
As Indian fighter jets graced the skies of Dhaka, Governor Malik and his cabinet, along with military advisors, convened at the Governor House. The jets unleashed bombs, prompting Malik to seek refuge in a trench.
General Manekshaw delivered a final advisory to the Pakistani commanders, emphasizing the futility of resistance: "This is the last time; any further attempt at resistance will be meaningless. Dhaka garrison is completely within our artillery range."
Pakistani troops began surrendering their weapons across battlefields, with the Bogra division and brigade HQ falling in the afternoon. Approximately 1,700 Pakistani personnel surrendered, yielding a substantial cache of arms and ammunition to the victorious allied forces.
Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir, who escaped from Pakistan, joined the Liberation War at sector 7. While crossing the Mahananda River in Chapainawabganj during an operation, he took a fatal bullet to the head. Posthumously, he was honored with the title 'Birsrestha' by the Bangladesh government after independence.
By December 15, Niazi’s senior staff officers and East Pakistan Governor Abdul Motaleb Malik’s chief advisers had lost the will to fight.
