Anyone can downplay all he/she wants, the fact remains.
Pakistani army fought this war halfheartedly and placed itself on the wrong foot by acting harshly against its own people.
34000? OK.
So what?
Pakistan army never allowed Bengali people to be equal shareholders in Armed forces and used tactics as weight limit as pre-requisite to enter Pakistani army.
Discrimination against Bengalis was very obvious.
No wonder they had not many Bengalis defending Pakistani positions and be loyal to the country. Duh!
There used to be a joke such as a Bengali trying to be recruited by Pakistani army having heavy stones in his pocket when weighed.