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Background: Captured Pakistani forces in East Pakistan have now all laid down their arms. Surrender formalities were completed in Dacca on Sunday when the last of the Pakistanis were disarmed by the victorious Indians.

An Indian military spokesman said India had taken more than 73,000 Pakistanis as prisoners of war. Many were disarmed immediately, but others were allowed to retain their weapons to guard against possible reprisals.

The final act of disarmament took place at a simple ceremony at Pakistani Army barracks in the East Pakistan capital which was president over by the commander of the Indian Corps, Lieutenant-General Sagat Singh.

After Indian officers explained to the Pakistanis their rights under the Geneva Convention, the defeated commander, General Jamshed, ordered his men to lay down their weapons and move back six paces.

The prisoners of war will be transported to Indian for indefinite internment.