1971 Military Operations in East Pakistan

The 1971 military operations in East Pakistan were part of Pakistan’s effort to suppress the independence movement there, which sought to create a separate country (later Bangladesh). Starting in March 1971, tension escalated after political conflicts and civil unrest. The Pakistani military launched a brutal crackdown called “Operation Searchlight,” targeting civilians, students, and activists. This led to widespread atrocities and a civil war between East Pakistan’s independence fighters (Mukti Bahini) and the Pakistani army. The conflict ended in December 1971 when India intervened militarily, supporting East Pakistan’s independence, which then became Bangladesh.