Witness to Surrender

by Siddique Salik, Azizul Haque (Translator)

"উইটনেস টু সারেন্ডার" Bengali নিয়াজীর আত্মসমর্পণের দলিল সিদ্দিক সালিক প্রণীত উইটনেস টু সারেন্ডার গ্রন্থের বাংলা অনুবাদ। লেখক পাকিস্তান সেনাবাহিনীতে আসার আগে লাহাের বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের প্রভাষক ছিলেন। সাংবাদিকতার সাথেও ছিলেন কিছুকাল জড়িত। পাকিস্তান সেনাবাহিনীতে মেজর পদে উন্নীত হবার পর সাবেক পূর্ব-পাকিস্তানে তিনি বদলি হয়ে আসেন লেফটেন্যান্ট জেনারেল। সাহেবজাদা ইয়াকুব খানের জনসংযােগ অফিসার হিসেবে। পরবর্তীতে তিনি লেফটেন্যান্ট জেনারেল টিক্কা খান এবং লেফটেন্যান্ট জেনারেল এএকে নিয়াজীর জনসংযােগ। অফিসারের দায়িত্ব পালন করেন। বাংলাদেশের মুক্তিযুদ্ধের সমগ্র সময়কাল তিনি জেনারেল নিয়াজীর পাশেই ছিলে। এবং বাংলাদেশের মানুষের বিরুদ্ধে পাকসামরিক জান্তার চক্রান্ত তিনি । খুব কাছ থেকেই দেখেছেন। তারই বস্তুনিষ্ঠ বিবরণ নিয়াজীর। আত্মসমর্পণের দলিল। সিদ্দিক সালিক সাবেক পূর্ব-পাকিস্তানের ওপর পশ্চিম-পাকিস্তানের শােষণের অভিযােগের সত্যতা অকুণ্ঠচিত্তে স্বীকার করেছেন। পাশাপাশি তিনি একজন অনুগত পাকিস্তানি ছিলেন বলে বাংলাদেশের মাটিতে পাকবাহিনীর বিপর্যয়ে এতে। তার আর্তচিৎকার ধ্বনিত হয়েছে। পুস্তকটি সচেতনমনস্ক পাঠকের আগ্রহ সৃষ্টি করতে পারবে বলে আমাদের বিশ্বাস।

Genres: History, Pakistan, War, Politics, Nonfiction, Military Fiction

238 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Brigadier-General Muhammad Siddique Salik (محمد صدیق سالک) was a Pakistani writer, a high profile military officer and public face of President General Zia-ul-Haq’s military government.
He was born in Manglia, a village in Kharian, District Gujrat, Punjab, British India. He graduated from Islamia College, Lahore earning a master’s degree in English literature and a diploma in International Relations. During his student days he edited college magazines Crescent and Faran.
Initially he taught English in Faisalabad and Mansehra but quit teaching after a few years and joined, as an assistant editor, Pak Jamhooriyat, an English weekly published by the Government of Pakistan. In 1964, he joined Pakistan army and was appointed in Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) as staff officer grade 3. In 1965, he witnessed and covered the Indo-Pak war of 1965. In 1970, he was sent to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) as Major, where he was made a prisoner of war by India. He was incarcerated in Agra jail before being shifted to various other prisons. He wrote a book titled “Witness to Surrender” (Urdu version: میں نے ڈھاکہ ڈوبتے دیکھا) based on his recollection of the 1971 war and fall of Dhaka. Another book “Humaa Yaraan Dozakh" (ہمہ یاراں دوزخ), which is a recollection of his years as a prisoner of war in India.
He was eventually handed over to Pakistan under the Simla Agreement and returned home in 1973. After 1977 coup, he was made General Zia-ul-Haq’s speech writer and press secretary. Later on, he was appointed as media minister and Directorate-General of ISPR under military government. He died on 17 August 1988, in a plane crash with President Zia-ul-Haq and other high ranking personalities.
Siddique Salik authored 6 Urdu and 3 English books that include:

- Witness to Surrender
- میں نے ڈھاکہ ڈوبتے دیکھا
- ہمہ یاراں دوزخ
- تا دمِ تحریر
- ایمرجنسی
- پریشرکُکر
- سلیوٹ
- State vs Politics, A case study of Pakistan.
- Wounded Pride

Reviews

[Emtiaj · Rating 4 out of 5]

অসাধারণ একটা বই। একজন পাকিস্তানীর কাছ থেকে এরকম বই আশা করা যায় না। হুঁ অবশ্যই এ বইয়ে মিথ্যা, অর্ধসত্য আর এড়িয়ে যাওয়া ব্যাপারগুলো আছে। যেমন ধর, এত এত ধর্ষনের বিপরীতে বলা হল, মাত্র নয়টা ধর্ষনের অভিযোগ পাওয়া গিয়েছিল এবং তাদেরকে শাস্তিও দেয়া হয়েছিল। (কিরকম শাস্তি সেটা বলা হয়নি), এদিকে নিয়াজী যে ধর্ষণের ফ্রি লাইসেন্স দিয়ে দিয়েছিল [1] তার সম্বন্ধে কিছুই বলা হয় নি। অপারেশন সার্চলাইটের নিহতের সংখ্যা সম্পর্কে বলা হয়েছে, কোনভাবেই সংখ্যাটা চার ডিজিট ক্রস করেনি। লেখক পূর্ব পাকিস্তানে এসেছিল Public Relations Officer হিসেবে এবং পুরো সময়টা ক্যান্টনমেন্ট এ ছিল। কাছ থেকে দেখেছে সবকিছু। বুদ্ধিজীবী হত্যাকান্ড নিয়ে কিছু পাবো আশা করেছিলাম। কিন্তু না, একটা বাক্যও নেই। অন্দরমহলে যার বাস ছিল সে এ সম্পর্কে কিছুই জানে না, একথা ভূতকে বললে সেও তো হাসবে। সে কিন্তু বইয়ে লিখেছে, নিয়াজী জে. এফ. আর. জ্যাকবের সাথে যে অশ্লীল কৌতুক করেছে সেটাও লিখে দিতে পারবে, ছাপার অযোগ্য বলে লিখতে পারেনি। অথচ ... [রাও ফরমান আলী একটা চরম লেভেলের কসাই ছিল। আমাদের খুব দুর্ভাগ্য আমরা তাদের বিচার করতে পারিনি।]

এতো এতো নেগেটিভ দিক থাকলেও (আরো আছে) আমি কেন এতো ভালো রেটিং করলাম। প্রথমত এটা পাকিস্তানীর লেখা। যেখানে এদেশের ছাগু সমাজ পাকিস্তানীদের মত সেখানে একজন পাকিস্তানীর কাছ থেকে ভালো কিছু আশা করা যায় কি? আর একটা পজিটিভ দিক হচ্ছে, মুক্তিযুদ্ধকে পলিটিক্যাল এবং মিলিটারি দৃষ্টিকোণ থেকে জানার ইচ্ছে থাকলে এ বইটা খুব ভালো বই। যদিও এখানে যুদ্ধ বলতে অপারেশন সার্চলাইট আর ডিসেম্বারের বাংলাদেশ-ইন্ডিয়া-পাকিস্তান যুদ্ধই প্রাধান্য পেয়েছে। মাঝের নয় মাস কিচ্ছু যেন হয় নি। এবং অনেক হাড়ির খবরও জানা যাবে।

Dacca : The Last Act, এই চ্যাপ্টারটা পড়ার সময় পাকিস্তানীদের দুর্দশা পড়ে হাপুশ-হুপুশ কাঁদছিলাম। :P আহারে বেচারা। লেখক বইটা উৎসর্গ করেছে, অখন্ড পাকিস্তানের স্মৃতির উদ্দেশ্যে। আমিও আমার চোখের জল (:P :v) অখন্ড পাকিস্তানের উদ্দেশ্যে উৎসর্গ করলাম।

[1]
নিয়াজী জওয়ানদের অসৈনিকসুলভ, অনৈতিক এবং কামশক্তিমূলক কর্মকান্ডকে উৎসাহিত দিতেন। 'গত রাতের তোমার অর্জন কী, শেরা?' চোখে শয়তানের দীপ্তি নিয়ে জিজ্ঞাস করতেন। অর্জন বলতে কয়জন নারীকে ধর্ষন করা হয়েছে বোঝাতেন। নিয়াজী নির্লজ্জভাবে ধর্ষনের পক্ষে যুক্তি উপস্থাপন করতেন। 'এটা তো তুমি আশা করতে পারো না যে একজন মানুষ বাস করবে, লড়াই করবে এবং মরবে পূর্ব পাকিস্তানে আর যৌনক্ষুধা মেটাতে যাবে ঝেলাম, পারো?'
from East Pakistan: The Endgame: An Onlooker's Journal 1969-1971

[W · Rating 5 out of 5]

During the 1971 war,Major Siddiq Salik had the opportunity to observe the unfolding of those tragic events from the headquarters of the Pakistan army's eastern command.He worked with Generals Yaqub,Tikka and Niazi.He was there when the military operation was launched to quell civil disturbances and had to stay in Dacca till the bitter conclusion of the war.He writes about the atrocities committed against the West Pakistani troops and their families,many of whom were massacred in cold blood by the Bengalis.He talks about the hopelessness of the situation confronting the Pakistani troops,a long way from home,armed with only light weapons,without any air force and facing a far larger enemy force and a hostile local population and the Mukti Bahini.The book is also a stinging indictment of the failures of the high command.He is particularly scathing towards General Niazi.The ending is poignant as the Pakistan army surrenders in Dacca and the prisoners of war face their uncertain fate in Indian captivity.

[Suresh · Rating 1 out of 5]

mr siddiq has given a totally biased story which dosnt reflect the brutality committed by pak army on bangladesh civilians. either he was ignorant or does not have the guts to say we did it.

[Zee]

this book is about the separation of East Pakistan.one the wonderful books i have ever read.i would recommend every one to read it.the outher,mr.siddiq salik,is a legend writer and an eyewitness of the great massacre.A book which will make you cry on the cruel behaviour of our politicians and army personnels.

[Asif · Rating 3 out of 5]

It could be one of the detailed accounts of how Dacca fell but it ensures that version is censored to suit Pakistani audience largely. At many of the places, one will find contradictions in writer's own views. Though, it admits wrong doings on part of Pakistani army but at first place it does not mention the whole lot of atrocities that army is alleged of. Hence, writer's job in justifying what he reported, was made much easier.

India is to be blamed for a lot of it - as writer goes but it seldom touches the subtle topics like treatment of East Pakistanis by western leadership since the dawn of independence which led them to six points agenda. I had also read, A. R. Siddiqui's Chronicles of War and when both the write-ups are compared it gives an impression that despite sharing possibly many of the details - both the army men have shared merely half of the story or even less then that.

The condemn-able thing was the massacre committed by both the sides i.e. from freedom fighters as well as from army but from neutral standpoint - army was considered as an oppression army and once such a belief penetrates, freedom fighters may have found easy justifications for their actions.

It also raises a lot of questions on army's strength to govern the state politically. It failed on all fronts, and did not lose the war to India only but it failed to muster international community to see the alleged wrong-doings by forces from other side of the border.

The book is a good read though but should not solely be relied on to understand what happened in 1971 and the years leading to that.

[Omama. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author was a one-star general in Pakistan Army, serving as a military-media correspondent. In 1970, he was posted in Dacca under ISPR. After East Pakistan breakup, he was taken as prisoner of War by India along with General Niazi.
This book is essentially an eyewitness account of atrocities committed by Pakistan Army under it's superiors orders, and Mukti Bahini. It presents a very clear view of army soldiers in the crucial period of East Pakistan insurgency and the politics under General Yahya's administrations, which eventually led to the secessionist state of Bangladesh. I really found the book admirable, as it captures all the events simultaneously happening in East Pakistan (Military, Bureaucratic, Political, and the war planning) at the same time, though it's a one-man's story, so it can be biased.

[S M Shahrukh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give the book a 3-star rating because of the quality of the writing and not for the adherence to truth or honesty that a book of non-fiction should contain. Siddiq Salik, a public relations officer of the Pakistan Army in East Bengal during 1971, writes like a literateur, doing justice to his degree in literature from Punjab Univerity. About the night of 25/26 March when the army crackdown (Operation Searchlight) started, he writes -

"By then, the night had already set in. Nobody knew then that it would be a night without a healing dawn at its end." - That's almost poetic!

But, alas, the truth has suffered, time and again, at his hands. I guess, his hands were tied, having to keep his job and remain in the good books of the army hierarchy.

He has deliberately downplayed the atrocities of Operation Searchlight, emphasizing more on the massacres of non-Bengalis (Biharis) at Chittagong and North Bengal, as if those prompted the army crackdown. He also takes a philosophical view on rapes committed and tries to be sagacious about how rape by the army was 'not right'. He tries his best to subdue the pogrom by his own army. He also seems to have a soft spot for President General Yahya Khan and mocked General Niazi and his love for women and chicken tikkas and his foibles as the General in charge of the Eastern theater. He has given a thorough description of the war, too thorough, it seems, at times - it was always an 'India-Pakistan match' and the Bengalis were just helpers, miscreants, rebels etc. He has also totally ignored the machinations of Rao Farman Ali and the killings of the intellectuals.

A well written dishonest book.

[K. R. B. Moum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some bitter experiences expressed in a courteous language, but no sort of insight in-depth over the whole event in question got attempted in the narrative.

[Angon Hasnine · Rating 3 out of 5]

এই বইকে বিচার করাটা বেশ কঠিন। ঝরঝরে লেখা, পড়তে আরাম লাগে। লেখক একাত্তরে ঢাকায় পাকিস্তানী আর্মির প্রেস অফিসার ছিলেন। পাকিস্তানের একাত্তরের প্রোপাগান্ডাগুলো বেশ সুন্দর ভাবেই ফুটিয়ে তুলেছেন। আর বেশ সুন্দর ক���েই সত্যগুলো এড়িয়ে গিয়েছেন।

[Munir Hussain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Observer of East Pakistan incident.

[Kazi Saleheen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though completely biased it's a fine account on the war from a conqueror's point of view. Major Salik ,however considered the pakistan army the savior of Pakistan.

The writer , a believer of 'United' Pakistan was part of the eastern high command as an P.R officer .I think it gives a vivid idea of how people on the 'united' Pakistan side [including some bangalee intellectuals ,politicains]used to see the ongoing issues . Sometimes the word 'দেশপ্রেমিক' creats the detest of a propaganda towards the book. The book is resourceful for the military history of the war but It tries to extol the west pakistani soldiers' devotion to fatherland , Honor when pivoting the issues of genocide and intellectual killings. All the atrocities were blamed upon the 'rebels' . Thus , his writing sometimes seems a bit fabricated . He also managed to portray the Pakistan supporters and Rajakars helpless and true patriot all the time . According to him a 'few rape case', around nine to ten , took place during the war by the Pakistani soldiers. A good PR officer indeed!!!

a five star for giving a much details of the activities of his bosses but not for once making a viscious image of them, detucting one star for biased view and another for not writing on the schemes taken by the junta to demolish the opponent. He served his purpose well!!!!

[Hossain Ahmed · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Witnesses to Surrender" by Siddik Salik is based on our 1971's liberation war. The book is basically showing some bitter truth about the Pakistani army. Could be a detailed account of how Dhaka have fallen but he showed only the point of views of Pakistani Army. I'll consider it as a biased writing! You'll find some conflict issues with the original history. It's important, when you started writing the history make sure you're writing the truth. Otherwise it'll carry only your side.

In the first half it was interesting to know some unknown events. Specifically how the war began & why it gone so brutally. The second half was going with the Pakistani Army's war details. Check comments for know more.

Siddik Salik was the public relations officer in east Pakistan, serviced of three provincial martial law administration; lieutenant general Yakub Khan, lieutenant general Tikka Khan & lieutenant general A A K Niazee. He has seen inequality, deprivation & wrote them not in a detail but somehow confessing way. As he was a loyal Pakistani supporter there was a howl in his voice for the disaster situation of Pakistani Army. The whole time he stayed by the side of general Niazee & observed a self proud general. Where others general avoided their losses & failurene he didn't hesitate to reveal the truth.

[Arnab Debnath · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heard of that book so many times that intrigues me to read to know what so good about a book a then Pakistani Militia could write. I must say, got some new information ; specially on military strategy pakistani army adopted during liberation war & the political and social situation. At the end of the day, Birds of a feather flock together. As a patriotic (!!) pakistani citizen he completely ignored the massacre created by Pakistani Army on 25th March night to be specific. Through the book, he always intend to defend pakistani activities during the war whereas he spontaneously blamed "muktis" and Indian Soldiers for the "Invasion" on then East Pakistan. Any third person could realize that, Bangladesh was born by the conspiracy of Indians!

You can not ignore the fact & manipulate when you are writing a book based on historical events. As a reader, I feel It's a crime you can not forgive! I don't know how could this book got tremendous review stated this is a neutral book! This book is nothing but a stigmatic manipulation of Liberation war history of Bangladesh.

After all, he was a Pakistani Officer!

[Muhammad Amanullah Abir · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the eve of 1970 to the 20th day of December of the groundbreaking year -1971, when the last plane carried the pakistani Prisoners of War to kolkata, this book carries memories of a Pakistan Army personnel, Mr. Salik. In a factual fashion, he stated what happened in the erstwhile East Pakistan - the humming inside the cantonment, frequent round tables between the two wings, a deadlock-city breathing out it's last united days, the night when search-light turned on and the 'unimaginable resistance' and whatnot.

Shelved in 3 chapters - Politics, Politico Military and Military- this book outlined when exactly the conflict became non negotiable, how both wings became too arrogant to lose the rope, how the west showed her persisting selfishness to it's counterpart and how the latter started provoking for it's independence as Bangladesh, as it became her one last escape from the slaughterhouse coated in Muslim-Muslim-are-brothers fallacy.

Written in fluid English, the book told a story worth listening. It drew pictures of How A.A.K. Niazi - the Tiger- burst into tears inside a dark room knowing all the fortresses of pakistan army is falling, how they retreated and became handicapped in Dhaka. How Dhaka became FREE at the first light of December the 16th when the Indians marched on, how the roads, canals, countrysides, bushes soaked with blood from both sides. Long before that, how hatred intensified between the east and the west. The very book also portrayed some 'political shadows' that isn't known by many.

It's a pakistani Narrative. I wasn't expecting a clean sheet of history. Yet, the writer tried his best to remain firm on "what" happened in the book and how it happened so that the possible biases remain lean. Yet, it earned my frowning when Mr. Salik trivialised the brutality of the crack down, the sexual violence of his fellow soldiers and the 'unjustified' brutality towards the religious minorities. Mostly, the way he marked some bengalis 'God-fearing' who helped the pak soldiers, rediculing nothing but himself.

Personal Rating - 4.7 out of 5.

[Utsho Majumder]

আমরা সাধারণত মুক্তিযুদ্ধের যেসব ইতিহাস পড়ি, তার বেশিরভাগই মূলত বাঙালীদের দৃষ্টিভঙ্গিতে লেখা হয়ে থাকে।
কিন্তু পাকিস্তানিদের কাছে কেমন ছিলো এই মুক্তিযুদ্ধ? এই সংগ্রামের বিরুদ্ধে তাদের নিজস্ব যৌক্তিকতা কেমন ছিলো? এমনই এক কৌতূহল নিয়ে কিনে ফেললাম তৎকালীন পাকিস্তান সেনাবাহিনীর জনসংযোগ কর্মকর্তা সিদ্দিক সালিকের লেখা বই "Witness to Surrender ", যার বাংলা অনুবাদ করেছেন আজিজুল হক।

১৯৭০ সালের জানুয়ারি মাসে ঢাকা আসার পর থেকে ১৯৭১ সালের ২০ ডিসেম্বর ঢাকা ত্যাগ পর্যন্ত সিদ্দিক সালিক তার সকল স্মৃতি এই বইটিতে লিপিবদ্ধ করেছেন। যদিও বইয়ের কিছু কিছু তথ্যের ক্ষেত্রে তিনি রেফারেন্স ব্যবহার করেছেন । এই বই সম্পর্কে সিদ্দিক সালিকের স্পষ্ট কথা, যা বইয়ের ভূমিকায় বর্ণিত, " ধারাবাহিকতা স্মরণকালে আমি মূলত ঘটনার ওপর মনোযোগী হয়েছি- ব্যক্তিত্বের ওপর নয়।শয়তান থেকে দরবেশে চিহ্নিতকরণ ইতিহাসের হাতে ছেড়ে দিচ্ছি।" যদি কেউ জানতে চায় আমাদের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ কেমন ছিলো পশ্চিম পাকিস্তানিদের কাছে, তবে তার কাছে " উইটনেস টু সারেন্ডার " একটি আর্দশ বই।

মূলত '৭০ এর নির্বাচন এর পূর্ব মুহূর্ত থেকে পাক বাহিনীর আত্মসর্মপণ - এই ঘটনাগুলো স্থান পেয়েছে এই বইয়ে। চমৎকার লেখনশৈলীর মাধ্যমে প্রতিটি বিষয় ( পাকিস্তানি শাসকদের দৃষ্টিভঙ্গিতে) অত্যন্ত দক্ষতার সাথে তুলে ধরেছেন তিনি।

"উইটনেস টু সারেন্ডার" বইটি আমাদের দেখাবে ইয়াহিয়া প্রশাসন ছয় দফাকে কীভাবে রুখতে চেয়েছিলো, কীভাবে অপারেশন সার্চলাইট এর পরিকল্পনা হয়েছিলো- কারা ছিলো এর মূলে, মুক্তিযোদ্ধাদের প্রবল আক্রমণে কীভাবে ভিতর ভিতর ভেঙে পড়ছিলো পাকিস্তানি সেনাবাহিনী, ইয়াহিয়া প্রশাসনের ব্যর্থতা,তাদের অভ্যন্তরীন পরিকল্পনা , কীভাবে সূচিত হয়েছিলো আত্মসমর্পণের প্রক্রিয়া -প্রতিটি বিষয় বেশ সুন্দর করে তুলে ধরেছেন সিদ্দিক সালিক।
"পরিশিষ্ট" হিসেবে ছয় দফা এবং পাকিস্তানি সেনাবাহিনীর তৈরি করা "অপারেশন সার্চলাইট" এর সম্পূর্ণ পরিকল্পনা সংযোজন -পত্র এই বইয়ের বিশেষত্বকে বহুগুণ বাড়িয়ে দিয়েছে।

দেশের মুক্তিযুদ্ধকে গভীরভাবে জানতে, তার চূড়া ও মহত্ব স্পর্শে "উইটনেস টু সারেন্ডার " বইটি হতে পারে অন্যতম সোপান। ২৩টি অধ্যায়ের এই বইটি মুক্তিযুদ্ধ সম্পর্কে অন্যরকম এক জানার দুয়ার খুলে দিলো।

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witness to surrender- by Siddique Salik is one of the three Books I read about liberation of East Pakistan, first, Surrender at Dacca- Birth of a Nation by Lt Gen J F R Jacob, The Betrayal of Pakistan by Lt Gen AAK Niazi and third, Witness to surrender by Siddique Salik. The first Book is about the Indian side of the Battle and the other two Books are about Pakistan side of the story. Main message from these Books is that development of infrastructure, protection of indigenous industries, education, women uplift, democratic institutions- Parliament etc are necessary steps to be taken by each Government for benefit of its people. Pakistan spent most of the money on development of western Pakistan . After elections, the elected representatives were not called and Parliament still. These situations brought the break up of Pakistan. Second, alongwith training on army related issues, Army officers should be trained about democratic institutions and importance of establishing democratic institutions. Dictators and autocrats donot understand these subjects and ultimately fail in the eyes of all nations.

[Shakil Akther · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book full of lies and half truth. Reading the book seems like Pakistan Army was forced to conduct genocide. There was no genocide on the night of 25th March 1971. Pakistan Army was defeated because they do not have necessary manpower though they were better soldiers . Mukti Bahani's operations were absent in the whole book. In one hand he talked that Mukti Bahini operated in the remote area and very little impact on Dhaka on other hand he is narrating that Hotel Inter Continental was attack in two consecutive paragraphs. For propaganda it is well written book; otherwise it is just book for Pakistani general people glorifying heroics of Pakistani army. For historians, it give value how Pakistani Army Officer in 1971 view the war.

[muhammad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good explainer on the activities of Yahya Khan, Tikka Khan, General Niazi & others throughout the Bangladesh War of Independence. Very bogged down by the military expeditions part of the book, but towards the end the signing of the Instrument of Accession is very nice to read. A more straightforward recounting of events by somebody with sympathies lying at west Pakistan, so does not portray the Bengali plight & consciousness well enough.

[MD. Foisal · Rating 4 out of 5]

একজন পাকিস্তানি আর্মির কাছ থেকে এ ধরনের লেখা অবাক করেছে।লেখক অকপটে অনেক ক্ষেত্রে নিজ��দের দোষ স্বীকার করে নিয়েছেন। তবে তিনি গণহত্যা, বুদ্ধিজীবী হত্যা এধরনের অনেক গুলো ঘটনা এড়িয়ে গেছেন। তারপরও এ ধরনের একটি বই লেখার জন্য উনাকে এপ্রিসিয়েট করতেই হবে।

[Malik Kabir]

From the opposite perspective and from the view point of an Pakistani Officer. Didnot paid any bit of respect to Bengali people. A total disappointment.

[Amjad Hussain]

Great Book written by Brig Siddique Salik including 6 points.

[Suman Sorma]

Good history of war

[vikram chandran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly balanced account of the war in 1971 by a Pakistani army officer. Well worth it. Unlike other officials, this gentleman did not sweep Pakistani atrocities under the carpet. A quick, good read.

[Azoad Ahnaf · Rating 1 out of 5]

এ নির্ঘাত ছাপাখানার ভূত এরই কাজ! তা নাহলে, অনুবাদ, প্রুফ রিডার সবার চোখ এড়িয়ে, পুরো বইতে একটাও ষ্ঠ নেই! অনুষ্ঠিত হয়ে যাচ্ছে অনুতি, প্রতিষ্ঠা হয়ে যাচ্ছে প্রতি্া, প্রতিষ্ঠিত হয়ে গেছে প্রতিতি! এবং অনুমান করছি এ ঘটনা সমগ্র বই জুড়েই!

অনেক নতুন তথ্য জানলাম। সময়-সুযোগ করে টাইম মেশিনে চেপে ঘুরে আসতে হবে সত্যতা যাচাইয়ের জন্য। 🥱🥱🥱

[Ijlal Haider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written 41 years ago, 5 years after East Pakistan became Bangladesh, this is an insider account of events and happenings which led to split of Pakistan.
The author was a Major serving in the PR department then and happened to be in almost all high level meetings.
The book includes his experiences both as serving military personnel before and after Operation Searchlight and as a War prisoner in an Indian camp after the Dhaka fall.

This piece is a painful reminder of how West Pakistani authorities tried making their way out through the barrel of a Gun but were out maneuvered by Rebels and Indian forces which came to their aid as the situation escalated.

I don't think the writer is completely unbiased in his narration but nonetheless this is the closest account I have read of what went wrong in Dhaka.
Do read if you manage to get your hands on it.

[Khalil Ullah · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Witness of surrender" as the name says is a memoir of Mr Siddiq Salik who was performing his professional duties in East Pakistan in 1971. Being in ISPR,author had an advantage of having a clear idea of what was going on in the region that time. He also was a part of some important meetings. Author collects all his memories later and also adds refrences from other authors. It really saddened me to read how our Politicians,Army Cheif and establishment handled this issue.
Book is to the point with no useless details usually found in books just to add some weight. This book doesnt give all details of 1971 Dhaka fall but it surely has some valuable information for history students.

[Samidhya Sarker Torsho · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 1971 war, from the Pakistanis' point of view. Is the basis of information of many renowned books about the war

[Huzaifa Baloch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think whatever written in this book is correct or true but yet its a great piece of work by the writer.

[Ubaid Ullah]

awesome book

[Muhammad Musa]

amazing and exceptional book on 1971 war...among one of my fav. books