1971 war was different, we had clear cut victory over Pakistan: Ex-Army chief Gen Chowdhury

The session on the 1971 war saw discussions with war veterans ranging on their experience of the war, the lessons learnt, what made it unique, among others.

"In modern times, the 1971 war victory was a rare event in battlefield. It was a clear-cut victory. The result of the war was a feature generally not found in these days," Gen Chowdhury said.

Speaking also in the session was Col (retd) Ashok Kumar Tara who rescued the family of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, leader of the Mukti Bahini and Bangladesh's first president.

Lt Col (retd) Quazi Sazzad Ali Zahir's role in the 1971 war was unique because he was a Pakistani officer who crossed the border and shared vital information, including maps of major Pakistan Army formations, with the Indian Army. "Indians had helped us so much in the 1971 war. My pride is that I could at least help them on the western front."