Baqir Siddiqui

Brigadier Baqir Siddiqui was a senior officer in the Pakistan Army who served as Chief of Staff during the Bangladesh Liberation War. As COS, he had played a significant role in the military administration of the region.^[1][2]

Brigadier Baqir Siddiqui
Born	1925 Mianwali, Punjab Province, British India
Died	2006 (Aged 80-81) Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Allegiance	Pakistan
Branch	Pakistan Army
Years of service	1947–1973
Rank	Brigadier
Unit	Infantry
Commands	Chief of staff, Eastern Command
Battles / wars	Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Bangladesh Liberation War Operation Searchlight Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Alma mater	Pakistan Military Academy

Military career

During the war, Brigadier Baqir Siddiqui was assigned to the east and held the position of Chief of staff in the Eastern Command of the Pakistan Army during the 1971 conflict in East Pakistan. In this capacity, he was responsible for advising the Commander of Eastern Command on defense plans and military operations. He reportedly worked closely with A. A. K. Niazi.^[3] He played a vital role in creation of the ad hoc formations during the war.^[4] He used to follow the direct orders of Niazi, as well as establishing a communication between GHQ and Eastern Command.^[5]

The Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report suggested that Siddiqui should go through Court martial, as he reportedly neglected his duty to advise the Commander of the Eastern Command.^[6] Though he played a vital role in the war, he has been often criticized for his alleged failed role.^[7][8]

Surrender and aftermath

After the Eastern Command’s surrender, Siddiqui was taken as a prisoner of war in India. On December 21, 1971, he and 12,000 of his troops surrendered to Indian Army's Major General Gandharv Nagra.^[9]

Upon surrendering, he gave an interview to the press. He stated that loss was a part of war, and Pakistani forces had to accept the loss. He also added that he had surrendered because he knew that if he had continued to fight, there would be more human losses.^[10]

During his time as a POW in Jabalpur, India, Brigadier Siddiqui made efforts to subvert the inquiry proceedings of the Commission.^[11] He was repatriated to Pakistan in 1973 following the Simla Agreement. He was one of two officers, who were forcefully retirement without pension.^[12][13]