Fall of Dhaka

Background:
 The Bangladesh Liberation War was a conflict between East Pakistan (now
Bangladesh) and West Pakistan (now Pakistan) that began in March 1971.
 Tensions had been brewing for years due to economic, political, and linguistic
disparities between the two wings of Pakistan.
War Breaks Out:
 The conflict escalated after the Pakistani military launched Operation Searchlight on
March 25, 1971, to suppress the Bengali nationalist movement in East Pakistan.
 This brutal crackdown led to widespread atrocities, including mass killings, rape, and
displacement, prompting the Mukti Bahini to declare independence for Bangladesh.
Indian Involvement:
 India, led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, supported the Bengali independence
movement and provided sanctuary, training, and arms to the Mukti Bahini.
 India also faced a humanitarian crisis due to the influx of millions of refugees fleeing
the violence in East Pakistan.
Military Campaigns:
 The Indian military launched a full-scale intervention in East Pakistan in December
1971, engaging Pakistani forces in multiple fronts.
 The Mukti Bahini, supported by the Indian military, conducted guerrilla warfare and
coordinated attacks against Pakistani positions.
Fall of Dhaka:
 The decisive moment came on December 16, 1971, when Pakistani forces in Dhaka,
the capital of East Pakistan, surrendered to the joint Indian and Mukti Bahini forces.
 Lieutenant General A. A. K. Niazi, the commander of Pakistani forces in East Pakistan,
signed the Instrument of Surrender, formally ending the conflict.
Aftermath:
 The Fall of Dhaka resulted in the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent nation,
marking the end of the Bangladesh Liberation War.
 The war led to significant loss of life and widespread devastation in East Pakistan, with
estimates of civilian casualties ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions.
 Pakistan suffered a humiliating defeat, leading to political upheaval and the resignation
of President Yahya Khan.
Legacy:
 The Fall of Dhaka remains a pivotal event in South Asian history, shaping the
geopolitical landscape of the region.
 It highlighted the failure of the Pakistani state to address the grievances of its Bengali
population and the limits of military force in suppressing nationalist movements.
 For Bangladesh, December 16 is celebrated as Victory Day, commemorating the
country's independence.
 The Fall of Dhaka marked the end of Pakistan's unity and the birth of Bangladesh as a
sovereign nation.