after carrying out emergency procedures, was dropped safely about 50 miles away. Pakistani war crimes Indian Army which took over the Poongli Bridge from the Pakistani Army was "shocked" at "the sight of mutilated bodies of women, whom the Pakistani troops had killed just before fleeing from Poongli Bridge." Aftermath The Tangail Airdrop and the subsequent capture of the Poongli bridge gave the advancing Indian Army, assisted by Kader Bahini, the maneuverability to side-step the strongly held Tongi-Dacca Road to take the undefended Manikganj-Dacca Road right up to Mirpur Bridge at the gates of Dacca (Dhaka). Pakistan Army's 93,000 troops unconditionally surrendered to the Indian Army and India's local ally Mukti Bahini on 16 December 1971. Battle awards Indian commander Lt Col Kulwant Singh was awarded the MVC for his leadership in battle. The 2 Paras were subsequently the first Indian forces to enter Dacca. For this and their role in Capture of the strategic bridge, the Paras received battle honour for Poongli Bridge and theatre honours for Dacca. See also Timeline of the Bangladesh Liberation War Military plans of the Bangladesh Liberation War Mitro Bahini order of battle Pakistan Army order of battle, December 1971 Evolution of Pakistan Eastern Command plan Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts References Battles of Indo-Pakistani wars Battles of the Bangladesh Liberation War Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 1971 in India 1971 in Pakistan 1971 in Bangladesh Aerial operations and battles involving India December 1971 events in Asia