India News Online » News Analysis » Security Issues » 

1971 Indo-Pak war veteran J.S. Aurora passes away

	May 09, 2005

The much-decorated Indian Army General and War Veteran of yesteryears, Jagjit Singh Aurora, died in New Delhi last week on May 3 after a heart attack. He was 89. Aurora retired as a Lt. General. He is survived by a son and a daughter. His wife died in 1997.

Lt. Gen. Aurora, was cremated with full Military Honours at the War Cemetery in the national capital on May 5. A military guard of honour offered a reversed gun salute after firing three rounds in the air. Buglers then sounded the “Last Post” to bid farewell to the military hero.

President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh several other Indian politicians have mourned the death of Lt. Gen. Aurora.

In his condolence message, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the role of Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora in the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 will be remembered with “gratitude and pride”. Expressing condolences to the family of Aurora, Manmohan Singh said: “It is with profound sadness that I have received the news of the passing away of a heroic and gallant son of India, Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora.

“I join the nation in paying tribute to the courage, valour and patriotism of this highly decorated office of the Indian Army,” the Prime Minister said in his message.

Minister of State for Defence B.K. Handique, Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, Defence Secretary Ajay Vikram Singh, Indian Army vice chief Lt. Gen. B.S. Thakur, former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral and several serving and retired military officers placed wreaths on the body.

“Not only was he a national hero but he carried this distinction very lightly on his shoulders. There couldn’t have been a more humble, more gentle general officer,” said Lt. Gen. (retired) V.R. Raghavan.

Former Chief of Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Arjan Singh said: “His army life and achievements were well known. He is the real hero of the 1971 war.”

Singh recalled he had worked along with Aurora after the anti-Sikh riots that followed former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984 and during the insurgency in the Punjab.

“We travelled together to pacify the people and tried to create communal harmony. He was a very compassionate man.”

Wreaths were also laid on behalf of the chiefs of the three services and by the acting Bangladeshi high commissioner.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders V.K. Malhotra and Madan Lal Khurana and National Commission for Minorities Chairman Tarlochan Singh attended the funeral.

“One of the principal architects of the Indian victory leading to the creation of Bangladesh, (Aurora) will be remembered for his offensive utilisation of air power in support of ground forces...He also introduced an element of surprise by employing the newly raised mechanised infantry battalions in the war,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement May 3.

Field Marshal S.H.F.J “Sam” Manekshaw, speaking about Aurora at a conclave of former army chiefs last year, had said: “While Jaggi did all the work, I got the baton (of field marshal).”

The Defence Ministry statement said: “Aurora was known to be an extremely tough trainer, yet very compassionate in his interaction with troops. He was also very transparent and fair in his dealings.”

Born on Feb 13, 1916 in Kalle Gujran village of Punjab’s Jehlum district, which is now in Pakistan, Aurora studied at Rawalpindi’s Mission School and the Indian Military Academy.

He was commissioned into the Punjab Regiment on Jan 1, 1939 and commanded a battalion in the 1948 Kashmir operations. He served as Director General of Military Training at Army Headquarters and commanded a corps in the north-east before heading the Kolkata-based Eastern Command.

A recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honours, for his role in the 1971 war.

A former member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament, where he represented the Akali Dal, Aurora crusaded relentlessly to get justice for victims of the 1984 riots against Sikhs that followed then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination.



Bangladesh mourns Aurora’s death

A grateful nation, Bangladesh, too has paid rich tributes to Lt. Gen. Aurora. Foreign Minister M. Morshed Khan and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina condoled Aurora’s death and recalled his contribution in the war that resulted in the emergence of an independent Bangladesh.

“Aurora will be remembered in the history of Bangladesh for his contribution during our War of Liberation in 1971 when he led the allied forces, culminating in the surrender of the occupation forces,” said Foeign Minister Morshed Khan in his message to India’s External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh.

Awami League president Sheikh Hasina expressed her profound shock at Aurora’s death. In her messages to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Natwar Singh, she expressed her deep sympathy for the bereaved family.

In her message, the leader of the opposition said Bangladeshis would always remember with deep gratitude the contribution of the Indian government, the Indian people and of Aurora in the war of 1971.

Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was Bangladesh’s first Prime Minister.

Air Vice Marshal A.K. Khandkar, deputy chief of joint forces who represented Bangladesh at the Dec 16, 1971 surrender, said: “Bangladesh has lost a great friend in his death. We mourn his death.

“I am shocked,” said Khandkar, the first air force chief of independent Bangladesh.

“We who fought on the frontier with him will definitely miss the great soldier,” Khandkar said. “Aurora was very sincere about our independence during the liberation war.”