ORDER OF BATTLE // January 1, 1971
Battle of Sylhet
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 34,000 estimated
India
20,000
Medium-confidence figure
Pakistan
14,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The Battle of Sylhet was a major engagement of the Bangladesh Liberation War, fought between combined Indian Army and Bangladesh Forces against the defending Pakistan Army at Sylhet. Unfolding from 7 to 15 December, it followed the Battle of Gazipur in Kulaura as part of a sequential advance by Indian and Bangladeshi forces. With India committing approximately 20,000 troops against a Pakistani force of around 14,000, the battle represented a substantial commitment of strength in the eastern theater. As one of the major battles of the war, it formed part of the broader campaign that culminated in the liberation of Bangladesh.
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