Lieutenant General JFR Jacob (retired), who negotiated the surrender of Pakistani troops in Dhaka following the 1971 war, died today.
The 93-year-old passed away around 8.30 am at the Army Hospital due to pneumonia, a hospital official said. He had been admitted on 1 January.
Jacob was the Chief of Staff of the Indian Army’s Eastern Command during the 1971 India-Pakistan war that led to Pakistan’s eastern wing seceding and becoming an independent Bangladesh. Lt Gen Jacob joined the army at the age of 19 and also fought in World War II and the Indo-Pak War of 1965 . He retired in 1978.
Post retirement, he also served as the Governor of Goa and Punjab.
”His distinguished services to the nation and the Indian Army shall always be remembered,” the President said in his condolence message.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter said the country was grateful to him for his impeccable service.
