• The day marks the official surrender of the Pakistani Armed Forces to the combined Indian and Mukti Bahini (Bangladesh liberation forces) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
• 16 December 2025 marks the observance of the 54th Vijay Diwas.

About the Indo-Pak War 1971:
Duration: The Indo-Pak War of 1971 was a 13-day military conflict between India and Pakistan, lasting from December 3 to December 16.
Cause: The war began due to India’s support for Bengali nationalist forces seeking independence in East Pakistan amidst a humanitarian crisis.
Surrender: The Eastern Command of the Pakistan military signed the Instrument of Surrender on December 16, 1971, in Dhaka (Bangladesh).
Leadership: The war victory was led by Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, and Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora.
2025 Events:
Military Tattoo: On December 16, 2025, Headquarters Eastern Command commemorates the 54th Vijay Diwas with a grand Military Tattoo at the Mangal Pandey Training Area, Vijay Durg, in Kolkata, West Bengal (WB).
Painting Competition: On December 15, 2025, young schoolchildren in Agartala, Tripura, took part in a painting competition organized by the Indian Army at the Albert Ekka War Memorial to commemorate the 54th Vijay Diwas and promote patriotism and historical awareness.