Operation
Para drop
A battalion of Para Commandos (India) led by Lieutenant Colonel Kulwant Singh Pannu was reinforced by an artillery battery of 17 (Parachute) Field Regiment (Zojila & Poongli Bridge), 17 Para Field Regiment, an engineering detachment, an ADS, a surgical team and other administrative troops from the 50th Parachute Brigade (India), 50th (Indep) Parachute Brigade. Tasked to cut off the retreat of the Pakistani troops from the north towards Dacca, the unit touched ground at 1630 hours and was greeted by a jubilant crowd of local people, with some even helping the troops carry their packs and ammunition. The drop was dispersed over a wide area, but the Paras regrouped quickly and commenced their attack. By 1900 hours, they had captured their main objective, cutting off the Pakistani 93 Brigade retreating from the north. Link-up with 1st battalion, The Maratha Light Infantry (1 MLI) was established after the Marathas broke through at Tangail Road and reached the bridgehead that very evening. The Pakistanis, attempting to retake the bridge rushed the Indian positions that evening, however, were repulsed. The Tangail Airdrop operation involved Antonov An-12, An-12, C-119s, 2 De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou, Caribous and Douglas DC-3, Dakotas from No. 11 Squadron IAF, 11 sqn and No. 48 Squadron IAF, 48 Sqn. No. 49 Squadron IAF, 49 Squadron 'the Paraspears', of the Indian Air Force was instrumental in raising and training the 'Kilo' flight of the Mukti Bahini. It was also the Paraspears who led the famed DELTA ORANGE formation of the Tangail drop which dropped troops of the 2 Para regiment which was a vital element in achieving the liberation of Bangladesh. The Indian Air Force, IAF also carried out feint drops using dummies dropped from Caribou aircraft to hide the true location and extent of the operation. The only hitch was a Hangup from the lead Dakota. One Paratrooper had a static line hangup, who, after carrying out emergency procedures, was dropped safely about 50 miles away.Pakistani war crimes
Indian Army which took over the Poongli Bridge from the Pakistani Army was ''"shocked"'' at ''"the sight of mutilated bodies of women, whom the Pakistani troops had killed just before fleeing from Poongli Bridge."''Aftermath
The Tangail Airdrop and the subsequent capture of the Poongli bridge gave the advancing Indian Army, assisted by Kader Bahini, the maneuverability to side-step the strongly held Tongi-Dacca Road to take the undefended Manikganj District, Manikganj-Dacca Road right up to Mirpur Bridge at the gates of Dacca (Dhaka). Pakistan Army's 93,000 troops unconditionally surrendered to the Indian Army and India's local ally Mukti Bahini on 16 December 1971.Battle awards
Indian commander Kulwant Singh Pannu, Lt Col Kulwant Singh was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, MVC for his leadership in battle. The 2 Paras were subsequently the first Indian forces to enter Dacca. For this and their role in Capture of the strategic bridge, the Paras received battle honour for Poongli Bridge and theatre honours for Dacca.See also
* Timeline of the Bangladesh Liberation War * Military plans of the Bangladesh Liberation War * Mitro Bahini order of battle * Pakistan Army order of battle, December 1971 * Evolution of Pakistan Eastern Command plan * Indo-Pakistani wars and conflictsReferences
{{coord missing, Pakistan Battles of Indo-Pakistani wars Battles of the Bangladesh Liberation War Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 1971 in India 1971 in Pakistan 1971 in Bangladesh Aerial operations and battles involving India December 1971 events in Asia