Lt Gen J.F.R. Jacob, a 1971 war hero, is dead

Lt Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), who played a key role in the 1971 war which broke up Pakistan and created Bangladesh, died here on Wednesday, a hospital said.

The 93-year-old passed away around 8.30 a.m. at the Army Hospital (Research and Referral) due to pneumonia, a hospital official said. He had been admitted on January 1.

Jacob was the Chief of Staff of the Indian Army's Eastern Command during the 1971 India-Pakistan war that led to Pakistan's eastern wing seceding and becoming an independent Bangladesh.

Jacob also served as the governor of Goa and Punjab.