HYDERABAD [DECCAN]: The Nizam’s forces surrendered at 4 p.m. today [Sept 17]. The Nizam, in a message broadcast to his troops, ordered them to cease fire. This decision has, it is understood, been taken largely due to the unimaginably heavy casualties during the 108 hours the battle for Hyderabad continued. The Nizam’s Cabinet … has resi­g­ned, and according to the Nizam’s broadcast spe­ech, a “caretaker” Government has been formed. The Nizam has also announced that he has passed orders for the disbandment of the Razakars and has agreed to the stationing of Indian troops at Secunderabad and Bola­rum. The Nizam has sent instructions to the Hyd­erabad delegation to the United Nations not to press the case against India any further.

During yesterday alone the ill-equipped and inexperienced Razakars, numbering more than 30,000, laid down their lives heroically attempting to stop the advance of the roaring tanks of the Indian Army. Armed with practically nothing but courage and muzzle-loading shotguns, these Razakars went to the extent of lying down on the ground in front of the advancing tanks… .

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2023