Bangladesh liberation war hero Jacob passes away

He was the Chief of Staff of Eastern Command of Indian Army during the 1971 India-Pakistan war that led to Pakistan’s eastern wing seceding and becoming an independent Bangladesh. He served as Governor of two Indian states under BJP governments – Goa and Punjab. “Lt Gen JFR Jacob and I interacted often”.

In a 2013 AJC visit to India, then-President Robert Elman presented Jacob with AJC’s Global Leadership Award, calling him a “national treasure” and a “hero” of the Jewish people.

“The country stands proud of his life, work and service to the nation as a soldier and patriot, Smt”.

“Deeply saddened to hear of Lt Gen JFR Jacob’s demise”.

Sharing his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family, Badal prayed to the Almighty to give courage to them, his friends and relations to bear irreparable loss in this hour of grief and grant eternal peace to the departed soul.

Born in the Bengal Presidency under British India, Jacob joined the army at the age of 19 and also fought in World War II and the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965.

During this period, Lt Gen Jacob composed an Indian Army manual on desert warfare.

The iconic image of 16 December 1971-Lieutenant General A.A.K. Niazi signing the instrument of surrender on behalf of the Pakistani forces-still continues to define a historic moment in the post-colonial evolution of South Asia.