What role did air power play in the 1971 India-Pakistan War?

Air power was decisive, crippling enemy defenses and enabling ground advances that led to India's victory and Bangladesh's formation.

How did the IAF's actions impact the Battle of Longewala?

IAF Hunters destroyed 27 enemy tanks and damaged 10 more, effectively shattering a major Pakistani armored assault.

When did the 1971 India-Pakistan War conclude?

The war concluded on December 16, 1971, with a significant Pakistani military surrender and the birth of Bangladesh.

Home / War and Conflict / IAF's Bold Strikes Led to Bangladesh's Birth

IAF's Bold Strikes Led to Bangladesh's Birth

5 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Air power proved decisive in the 1971 war, paving the way for victory.
IAF strikes crippled Pakistan's air defences and destroyed tanks.
Indian Air Force missions cleared the path for army's march into East Pakistan.

IAF's Bold Strikes Led to Bangladesh's Birth

On the third day of the 1971 war, December 5, the Indian Air Force (IAF) demonstrated air power's decisive role in shaping the conflict's outcome and ensuring India's victory. IAF aircraft relentlessly attacked Pakistani bases and forces, significantly impacting the war's trajectory.

Attacks on airfields and storage hangars, along with relentless bombing campaigns, crippled Pakistan's western air defences and inflicted heavy damage. Notably, the IAF's intervention in the Battle of Longewala was pivotal, destroying enemy tanks and securing Indian territory.

With Pakistan's air force effectively neutralized, IAF sorties on the eastern front facilitated the Indian Army's swift advance into East Pakistan, culminating in the war's conclusion and the emergence of Bangladesh.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.