December 7, 1971: Another Soviet Veto in the UN Security Council

On this day, Acting President of the Provisional Government of Bangladesh Syed Nazrul Islam said in a radio address, “It will not take much longer for Dhaka to be freed from the invaders. Very soon Dhaka will fall under the control of the freedom fighters. Bangladesh is now as true as daylight. Our beloved leader Bangabandhu will also return to the soil of Bengal very soon.”

On 7 December, a proposal submitted by Argentina was raised at both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council. The proposal stated, “To resolve the conflict, both countries must abandon their aggressive stance and withdraw troops from the borders immediately.”

The same proposal was presented in the UN Security Council, but it was rejected after being vetoed by the Soviet Union.

On the same day, a spokesperson of the Provisional Government in Mujibnagar said, “After the recognition from India, an emergency meeting of the cabinet of the Bangladesh government has decided that within December, government offices will be relocated from Mujibnagar to Dhaka.”

In India on this day

At 10 PM on 7 December, Indian Army Chief General Manekshaw made an appeal to the Pakistani occupation forces in Hindi, Urdu, and Pashto via Radio Akashvani, saying:
“There is no escape for Pakistani soldiers. The freedom fighters and Indian forces have surrounded Bangladesh from all sides to liberate it. They are prepared to take revenge for the horrific atrocities committed by the Pakistani military on the people of this land. Now only one option remains for the Pakistani forces—surrender.”

In the international arena on this day

Soviet Communist Party leader Leonid Brezhnev stated, “India and Pakistan must seek a peaceful resolution. War brings only bloodshed and cannot lead to any meaningful solution. Without dialogue, neither the cessation of war nor a favorable political situation can be achieved.”

On 7 December, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department announced, “The United States has decided to suspend economic aid to India.”

Nationwide resistance war

On 7 December, three groups of freedom fighters attacked the Pakistani stronghold at Cumilla airport from Bibir Bazar, Bhatpara, and Bagherchar. Heavy fighting took place. By midday, unable to hold their position, Pakistani troops fled toward the Cumilla cantonment. Meanwhile, the freedom fighters and Indian allied forces advanced toward the city to liberate Cumilla.

In Sylhet, under Major Shafayat Jamil, two companies of the 3rd Bengal Regiment and troops of the Dawki sub-sector took control of Radhanagar and advanced toward the Sylhet airport through Gowainghat and Salutikor. At dawn, Indian paratroopers landed at the Sylhet airport. With the area secured by the joint forces, Sylhet airport and surrounding regions were liberated.

In Brahmanbaria’s Shahbazpur, heavy clashes took place between freedom fighters and Pakistani forces. The invaders retreated.

In Mymensingh, a large group of Afsar Bahini divided into three and launched a three-pronged attack on Bhaluka police station. After intense battle, the Pakistani troops abandoned their position and fled.

In Kurigram, under the direction of Indian Brigadier Joshi, the freedom fighters and Indian forces launched massive artillery attacks on Pakistani positions inside Kurigram town. The invaders fled afterward.

Noakhali was liberated on 7 December. Freedom fighters conducted house-to-house operations and arrested several razakars.

Gopalganj was also liberated. On the night of 7 December, Pakistani troops fled their positions near Gopalganj Sadar police station. At dawn, freedom fighters marched into the town chanting Joy Bangla and hoisted the flag of independent Bangladesh.

In the afternoon, heavy fighting took place between Pakistani forces and the joint forces over control of the Karatoa bridge on the Bogura–Rangpur road. Around 35 Pakistani soldiers were killed or wounded.

Sherpur was liberated on 7 December.

Chuadanga was liberated as well. Hearing of the advancing joint forces from Darshana, Pakistani troops blew up the bridge over the Mathabhanga River the previous evening. Still, when the joint forces entered Chuadanga, the invaders fled toward Kushtia by sunset.

Under Sector Commander Major M.A. Jalil and Sub-Sector Commander Major Ziauddin Ahmed, freedom fighters of Sector 9 liberated large parts of Mongla and the Sundarbans.