Escape To Burma

Escape to Burma: Brig S Liaqat Bokhari The writer commanded Logistic Flight Eastern Command, Dacca, and after promotion in August 1971, 4 Army Aviation Squadron in East Pakistan, and was awarded Sitara-i-Jurat for his courage during this crisis and the war. He did his Masters in English literature and LLB during his service in the army The unit that did not surrender On the night of 16 December, '71, Chief of Staff, Eastern Command, while passing the instructions for the unfortunate surrender, ordered the destruction of all equipment including guns, tanks, and aircrafts before the surrender. I suggested that instead of destroying the helicopters, they should be flown to Pakistan via Burma. After obtaining the approval from the General Headquarters, permission to fly out was given to the Commanding Officer by the Commander Eastern Commander, Lieutenant General A. A. K. Niazi. At 0320 hours on 16 December, '71, I and Major Riaz ul Haq, along with Major Ali Khan took off in the first MI-8 Helicopter, followed by Major M. Akram and Major Jawahar in the second helicopter at 0325 hours. The cargo helicopters carried about 30 passengers each, against the 16 authorised with full internal fuel tanks. To take off from the Golf Course, surrounded by tall trees, in pitch dark without any lights, with a heavily loaded helicopter was very risky and hazardous. It was only the proficiency and determination of the 4 Aviation Squadron pilots that made it a success. Major Naoman Mahmood and Major P. C. Tierney took off at 0330 and 0335 hours respectively in their Alouette helicopter. Flying time from Dacca to Akyab in an Alouette helicopter was over three and half hours, whereas their safe endurance was much less. They had to carry extra fuel in jerry cans for their en route self-fuelling at some unknown place in the hostile area. The sky was completely overcast and there was not even any starlight. In the pitch dark, the helicopters had to fly as low as possible to avoid detection by the enemy radar, at a pre-determined speed at an interval of 5 minutes to avoid mid air collision. Indian Aircraft carrier 'Vikrant' was positioned next to Coxs Bazar to monitor any likely escape by the Pakistani helicopters. This was the most difficult and hazardous mission for the aviators to fly without adequate instruments to another country at night without light and ground navigational aid under complete enemy air superiority. Major Tauhid ul Haq, Major Masud Anwar and Major Zareef took off from Dacca under the nose of the enemy at 1300 hours, when advance Indian elements had already entered Dacca Cantt. They had to fly at tree top level to avoid detection by the enemy fighters. Their landing in hostile area during daytime for refueling was very demanding. They landed safely at Akyab at 1630 hours, and joined the rest of the unit.

This unit also evacuated Major General M. Rahim Khan, who was badly wounded, and 130 women and children safely. The pilots and crew left Akyab on 22 December, '71 for Meiktella airforce airbase, from where they were flown to Rangoon the same day. Women and children came back to Karachi on 26 December, '71 and the Gallants arrived in Pakistan on the 16 January, '72 thus saving Pakistan Army precious equipment and helping in regaining some of the lost pride. The writer commanded Logistic Flight Eastern Command, Dacca, and after promotion in August 1971, 4 Army Aviation Squadron in East Pakistan, and was awarded Sitara-i-Jurat for his courage during this crisis and the war. He did his Masters in English literature and LLB during his service in the army