NEW DELHI: Lt Gen J F R Jacob (retd), who negotiated the surrender of Pakistani troops in Dhaka following the 1971 war, passed away today.
Jacob, who was 92, breathed his last after prolonged illness, army sources said.
Born in 1923, Jacob is best known for his role in India’s victory in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971 and the liberation of Bangladesh.
Jacob, then a Major General, served as the Chief of Staff of the Indian Army’s Eastern Command during the war.
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 before he retired in 1978.
Post retirement, he also served as the Governor of Goa and Punjab.
Condoling the demise of Jacob, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India will remain grateful to him for his impeccable service.
“Lt Gen JFR Jacob & I interacted often. Had a memorable interaction when he presented his autobiography to me,” he said in a tweet.
“RIP Lt Gen JFR Jacob. India will always remain grateful to him for his impeccable service to the nation at the most crucial moments,” the Prime Minister said.
In her condolence message, Congress President Sonia Gandhi hailed Jacob as a “brave son of India”.
“The country stands proud of his life, work and service to the nation as a soldier and patriot,” she said.
“A brave son of India, his role in the Bangladesh liberation war has a special place in the war history of the world,” she added.–PTI
