Thread by @indmilitarynews

Today is 60th year of celebration of Operation Vijay

Operation Vijay (1961) was the successful operation conducted by Indian Armed Forces to end 450 years of #Portuguese’ colonial rule in #Goa
#GoaLiberationDay.

When the Portuguese refused to give up control of the state in 1947 India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, started trying different non-violent ways to resolve the issue. But all his efforts of peaceful and diplomatic negotiations were rendered useless. #GoaLiberationDay

In 1955, he imposed an economic blockade on #Goa but even that did not deter the #Portuguese power to leave the #Indian soil. So in 1961, Mr Nehru decided that there was no alternative option left for military intervention.
#GoaLiberationDay

He orchestrated a military attack on #Goa on December 18 of that year and code-named it ‘Operation Vijay’, which translates to ‘Operation Victory. 
#GoaLiberationDay

The intervention lasted for 36 hours and included teams from all the branches of the Indian Armed Forces – the #IndianArmy, the #IndianNavy and the #IndianAirForce.
#GoaLiberationDay

On December 19th, #Goa’s deposed Governor-general Manuel António Vassalo e Silva officially surrendered to the Indian forces after twenty-two #Indians and thirty #Portuguese were killed in the operation.

With that, not only #Goa tasted the air of freedom, but other previously #Portuguese controlled places like #Daman and #Diu and #Anjadip Island did too.

Portuguese Prisoners of War

Inverted flag of Portugal showcased in officers' lounge of Black Cat Div of #IndianArmy as mark of victory over #Portuguese forces in 1961.

#Portuguese Surrender Goa, 1961

The letter of surrender from Portuguese general Manuel Antonio Vassalo e Silva.