On the night of March 25, 1971, the Pakistani Army started Operation Searchlight. After which the Pak police and army committed mass genocide a lot.

India performed a cardinal role to free Bangladesh when Pakistani army succumbed to Indian Army on 16 December, 1971 during Pak-Indo war

____ Assist. Prof. Pyar Singh Thakur

Bangladesh Independence From Pakistan: This year Bangladesh is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its independence. The day of 26 March is very cardinal  for the history of Bangladesh because it was declared an independent nation apart from Pakistan on this day. After separation from India, a large number of Sindhis, Pathans, Balochs and Mujahirs dwelled in the western region of Pakistan. While its eastern region was inhabited by Bengali speaking people, it was known as East Pakistan. But this part was always neglected. Due to which there was deep resentment towards Pakistan among the people living here. The result of this displeasure was the formation of the Awami League party of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the leader of East Pakistan. He demanded more autonomy for his territory from Pakistan. In the elections held in 1970, this party also won and the party won a majority in the Parliament. But Rahman was still put in jail. This was the incident which laid the foundation for the partition of Pakistan. A year later, in 1971, the then President of Pakistan, Yahya Khan, entrusted the responsibility of removing the resentment spread in this part to General Tikka Khan.

Pak Army started Operation Searchlight

Tikka Khan resorted to pressure to settle the matter, which made the situation even worse. On March 25, 1971, the Pakistani Army started Operation Searchlight. In this part, the police and army committed genocide of Bangladeshi people a lot. It is said that the Pakistani army had killed 3 million Bangladeshi people. After this genocide, the Mukti Bahini was formed to give independence to Bangladesh, which included both soldiers and civilians.

Bangladeshi people migrated to India

Meanwhile, people started migrating to India to escape from the Pakistan Army and the police, India has appealed to the international community several times to improve the situation here. But no improvement was made. After which the then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi supported the Mukti Vahini and decided to help Bangladesh to get independence. In the month of July, training was started to help the fighters of Mukti Bahini. The Indian Army was preparing to deal with any situation.

The then P.M. of India Indira Gandhi’s visit to America

Between October and November, the then Prime Minister of India  Indira Gandhi and her advisors visited America and Europe. Indira Gandhi tried to keep India’s vision in front of the world. But talks with the then US President Richard Nixon could not reach any result. While India wanted Mujeeb Rehman to be released, Nixon was advocating for more time for the West Pakistan army. However, India had made it clear that if any provocative action was taken by Pakistan, then India would also give a befitting reply.

War started after Pakistan attack

On 23 November, the then President of Pakistan Yahya Khan asked to be ready for war. Then on December 3, 1971 (India-Pakistan 1971 War), the Pakistani Air Force attacked India. This was the day when India also joined this war. Pakistan targeted many cities of India. Now the war between India and Pakistan had started (Bangladesh Independence War Against Pakistan in 1971). Pakistan succumbed to India on 16 December. With the surrender of the Pakistan Army Bangladesh was born and the war ended.