India hands over helicopter, tanks to Bangladesh as 1971 memorabilia
What's the story
India has handed over a Mi-4 helicopter and two PT-76 tanks to Bangladesh as part of 1971 Liberation War memorabilia. "The gifts are to be showcased at the Bangladesh Army and Air Force museums," a Defense Ministry spokesman said. Last year, when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Bangladesh, she gifted both the items to the neighboring country.
Information
Memorabilia includes 25 weapons
The memorabilia included 25 weapons such as pistols, rifles, machine guns, and mortars alongside a large number of artifacts, historical photographs, archival audio and video clipping, maps, and battle records related to the 1971 Liberation War.
Tanks
PT-76 tanks were used by Indian Army in 1971
The light amphibious PT-76 tanks were used by the Indian Army's armored regiments in 1971. Analysts said these tanks often outclassed a much larger force and are technically superior to M34 Chafee tanks used by Pakistani Army in war. The Mi-4 transport helicopter was extensively utilized for heliborne operations by India-Bangladesh joint forces in eastern sector confirming early defeat of Pakistani troops in 1971.
Previous gifts
India had gifted Hunter jet-fighter, one Dakota transport-aircraft to Bangladesh
IAF earlier gifted Bangladesh one Hunter jet fighter, one Dakota transport-aircraft while India's navy gifted memorabilia of its INS Vikrant, models of ships that took part in the war, and archival photographs and army gifts included six 3.7 Howitzer Guns. India backed Bangladesh's Liberation War, which began after sudden crackdown at midnight past on March 25, 1971, in erstwhile East Pakistan by Pakistani troops.