1971: Mukti Bahini and Birth of Bangladesh

Post World War II no nation had been born through a military intervention, nor was such a recourse anticipated in East Pakistan, in 1971. However, when the Pakistani Army went on the rampage, shooting innocents, raping women, using torture as a tool; in fact every instrument of military power to subdue the Bengalis in East Pakistan, events moved rapidly. In retrospect, the launch of Operation Searchlight by the Pakistan Army that led to the biggest ever genocide being witnessed in South Asia’s history, was the prime trigger for Bengali nationalism’s surge.

The war of liberation against the Pakistani forces was initiated by the Mukti Bahini, the guerilla resistance movement comprising Bangladeshi military, paramilitary and civilians. India provided them with moral, material, diplomatic; in fact, every type of support necessary. Finally, in December 1971, the Indian Armed Forces joined the Mukti Bahini, fielding its full military power to finally fly the Bangladeshi flag atop Dhaka after a lightning campaign.

BharatShakti.in was fortunate to have two eminent panelists talk to the editor Brig S K Chatterji (Retd) about the events leading to the war, the successful conduct of operations, and the birth of a new nation.

Ms Aroma Dutta, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Bangladesh. She crossed over to India as a young girl in 1971 and insisted with the then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to open the borders for a terrified Bengali population to enter India and seek refuge.

Brig Ajit Apte (Retd) is a veteran of 1971 operations. He has trained and operated with the Mukti Bahini. He was part of many a major battle in East Pakistan as the Indian Army and Mukti Bahini advanced towards Dhaka.

#dhaka #1971 #bangladesh

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