Meghna Heli Bridge

Meghna Heli Bridge
Part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Mi-4 helicopters mounting troops in Brahmanbaria on 9 December 1971.
Date 9 December 1971 Location Eastern Bangladesh Result Indian and Bangladeshi victory
Belligerents
India  Bangladesh	Pakistan
Commanders and leaders
Lt Gen Sagat Singh	Unknown
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
10 killed	Unknown

Meghna Heli Bridge was an aerial operation of Indian and Bangladeshi allied forces during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. It took place on 9 December, when the Indian Air Force airlifted the Mukti Bahini and the IV Corps of the Indian Army from Brahmanbaria to Raipura in Narsingdi over the River Meghna, bypassing the destroyed Meghna Bride and Pakistani defences in Ashuganj.

When the war broke out, IV corps went into action in the Agartala sector. At the start of the Dacca Campaign, Dacca was set as an objective for II Corps and IV Corps had been tasked to capture the fortress of Comilla. By 8 December, troops of the 57 Mountain Division and the IV Corps had already achieved their initial objectives of occupying the territory leading up to the Meghna. The only way across the river was over the Ashuganj Bridge, which very soon became a fortress where a Pakistani division had consolidated itself. The strategic importance of breaking down resistance at Ashuganj soon became apparent to Lt Gen Sagat Singh, leading the IV Corps, who realised that his troops could, with a push, threaten Dacca. Once a significant force had been built up, there was no recognisable enemy force between the helidropped force and Dacca. Ashuganj Bridge was the only bridge that spanned the huge Meghna River which at its narrowest point was more than 4000 yards wide. With his troops at Ashuganj, Singh however, realised his formation would be joining in the race to Dacca. As would later turn out, II Corps was held at Kushtia by Pakistani defences and did not make it to Dacca. However, Aerial photos also showed that the bridge had been destroyed and it would require the Army Engineers to construct a new bridge over the sprawling Meghna for Indian troops to advance. Anticipating high casualties in the attempt to take the bridge by force, Singh, along with Maj Gen B F Gonsalves, leading the 57 Mtn Div, made the decision to airlift the troops.

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