Bangladeshi Independence
From 1947 until 1971, Bangladesh was an exclave of Pakistan called East Pakistan. However, Bangladeshis were and still are very different to Pakistanis as they have different languages and cultures. As a result, Bangladeshis feared and hated being dominated by Pakistan. After a cyclone in 1970 which was neglected by the government, it was time for revolution. The Liberation War of Bangladesh began on 26 March 1971 and ended on 16 December 1971.
On 25th March, Pakistan Army started Operation Searchlight in Dhaka and the rest of the country. The operation saw the army attacking general civilians, political activists, students as well as Bengali members of armed forces and police.
The following day, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman arrested by the Pakistani 3 commando unit. On that same day, Awami league leader M. A. Hannan declared
Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan on behalf of Bongobondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Thus, 26 March is Bangladesh's official Independence Day. On 2nd April 1971, the Jinjira massacre took place. On 15 May 1971: the Indian army started aiding Mutki Bahini. India played a role in Bangladesh's
independence fight.
30 August 1971: Pakistan Army cracks down on Dhaka guerrillas.
From 31 October (Halloween) until 3rd November 1971, the
Battle of Dhalai took place which saw India attack from Tripura into East Pakistan to stop Pakistani cross border shelling.
16 November 1971, saw an 18 hour encounter between Mukti Bahini and Pakistan army. This event saw the martyring of Jagatyoti Das, a famous freedom fighter. 5 Days later on 21 November 1971, the Bangladesh Armed Forces is formed. On 3rd December 1971, the Bangladesh Air Force destroyed Pakistani oil depots which later saw Pakistani air strikes on India. As a result, India declared war on Pakistan.
4 December 1971: the Battle of Longewala took place which saw Indians stop a Pakistani invasion directed at Jaisalmer. In the last 10 days of the war, Bhutan became the first country in the world to officially recognise Bangladesh after India. The Liberation War ended on 16th December 1971 when the East Pakistan Army surrendered to Mitro Bahini, represented by Jagjit Singh Aurora of the Indian Army faction of the military coalition. The war lasted for nine months, the length of a pregnancy. On 22nd December 1971: the provisional government of Bangladesh arrives in Dhaka from exile.