By the end of April 1971, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had asked the Indian army chief General Sam Manekshaw if he was ready to go to war with Pakistan. According to Manekshaw 's own personal account, he refused, citing the onset of monsoon season in East Pakistan and also the fact that the army tanks were in the process of being refitted. He claimed that he offered to resign, which Indira Gandhi declined. He then said he could guarantee victory if she would allow him to prepare for the conflict on his terms, and set a date for it and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi accepted his conditions. In reality, Indira Gandhi was well aware of the difficulties of a hasty military action but she needed to get the military 's views to satisfy her hawkish colleagues and the public opinion, which were critical of India 's restraint.
who was heading indian army in bangladesh 1971
General Sam Manekshaw