Incredible Story of Col Sajjad, Bengali in Pak Army, Who Gave India Secrets that Helped Win 1971 War

50 years ago in August 1971, a 20-year old Bengali officer serving as a Lieutenant in Pakistan’s elite 14th Para-Brigade, stationed in Sialkot, crossed the border carrying in his boots critical military documents and vital battle information which, months later, invaluably helped the Indian army win the war between India and Pakistan. That officer’s name was Lt. Col. Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir. Today, in an exclusive 29-minute interview to Karan Thapar for The Wire, he recounts and relives the almost unbelievable story that made him one of the youngest war heroes of 1971.
Col. Sajjad – as he now is – tells the story of his escape from Pakistan and why he believed he had to do this. He recounts how he had to hide in a gorge to avoid firing and deliberately did not surrender to the BSF for fear they might “trade him” with the Jhelum Rangers but chose instead to be captured by the CRPF, very close to the Samba Highway.

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