A Stranger in My Own Country : East Pakistan 1969-1971

The 1971 East Pakistan tragedy was not just a failure of the military but also a collapse of civil society in the West Wing. The few voices raised against the military action were too feeble to make the army change its course, a course that lead to military defeat and the break-up of the country. At the time, the author was GOC 14 Division in East Pakistan. Apart from his direct narration of the events, his portrayal of the major dramatis personae, such as Field Marshal Ayub Khan, General Yahya Khan, Lt. Gen. Tikka Khan and Lt. Gen. A.A.K. Niazi, are insightful. A necessary text that demands scrutiny from all interested in the course of Pakistan's history.

Table Of Contents:

Introduction by Muhammad Reza Kazimi
1 The Brewing Storm
2 Prelude to the 1970 Elections
3 The Rising Sun of the Awami League
4 The Devastating Cyclone of November 1970
5 A No-Win Situation
6 The Crisis Deepens
7 Lt. Gen. Tikka Khan in Action
8 Operation Searchlight
9 Last Words

Annexure A: Extract of Article by Rehman Sobhan, South Asian Review, London, July 1971
Annexure B: Operational Details of 'Operation Searchlight'
Annexure C: Recommendations Regarding Military Operations, 11 April 1971

Index