Tuesday, May 3 2005 15:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The hero of war for liberation of Bangladesh Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora, who oversaw the surrender of over 90,000 Pakistani troops, died in New Delhi, this morning at a private hospital.

Aurora, 89, who was ailing for some time, died in sleep. He is survived by a son and daughter.

Aurora, who as General Officer Commanding of Eastern Command, had the honour of accepting the famous surrender by Pakistani troops under Gen A A K Niazi in Dhaka on December 16, 1971, led the lightening strike by Indian forces in the then East Pakistan, which ultimately led to liberation of Bangladesh.

Along with Gen Sam Maneckshaw, he played an important part in the Eastern sector military operations noted for their swiftness, efficiency and deadliness.

A recipient of Padma Bhushan and Param Vishist Seva Medal, Aurora had a stint in Parliament as Rajya Sabha member on behalf of Akali Dal from 1986.

He had opposed Operation Blue Star in the Golden Temple in 1984 and had taken up the cause of victims in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots following the assassination of Indira Gandhi.

Born on Feb 13, 1917 in village Kalagujran in Jhelum district - now in Pakistan, Aurora was commissioned into the Indian Army in the first battalion of the 2nd Punjab Regiment in 1939.

He saw action in 1947-48, in 1948 Kashmir operations, when he led the same battalion in Pir Kalewa region of Rajouri district. Later, he commanded a brigade in the same sector.

Aurora was Director Military Training at Army Headquarters before taking over the command of 33 Corp in Eastern Sector.

The funeral would take place on Thursday (May 5, 2005) with full military honours at Brar Square in Delhi cantonement, army sources said.

Commissioned as a 2nd Lt into the Punjab Regiment in January 1939, Aurora first saw action during the II World War in Burma. Ten years later, he took over the Command of the I Battalion of the Regiment.

He served in various staff appointments before being promoted to the rank of a Colonel and was posted as the Deputy Commandant of the Infantry School, Mhow. In 1957, February, he was given the command of a Brigade.

After attending a course at the National Defence College in 1960, he was appointed the Brigadier General Staff of a Corps Headquarters in the Eastern Sector.

Being promoted as a Major General in February 1963, Aurora was given the command of an Infantry Division. Later next year, he became the Director of Military Training at Army Headquarters.

He assumed charge of Deputy Chief of Army Staff in June 1966 with the rank of Lieutenant General, the post that he held till April 1967. Then he was posted to the Eastern Sector as GOC of a Corps Headquarters.

He took over as GOC-in-C, Eastern Command in 1969.