New Delhi. December 16, 2004 (ANI)

The 33rd anniversary of victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war was celebrated through out the country today. The victory had resulted in the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan.

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee along with the three defence chiefs laid wreath at the "Amar Jawan Jyoti" to pay homage to the martyrs.

December 16 is a landmark in the history of the armed forces as it was on this day in 1971 that they inflicted a crushing defeat on Pakistan and successfully assisted Bangladesh, earlier known as east Pakistan, in its liberation struggle.

Over 93,000 Pakistani armed forces personnel were taken as prisoners of war. It was the biggest surrender of armed forces by any country in modern times. An estimated three million Bangladeshis were killed during the war.

The 13-day war ended on December 16 when Lt. General A.A.K. Niazi, Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army's Eastern Command, signed the instrument of surrender before his Indian counterpart, Lt. Gen. Jasjit Singh Aurora in Dhaka.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars, two of them over Kashmir, since partition. The 1971 war was fought for Bangladesh's Independence from Pakistan.