1971

The Bangladesh Liberation War began after the Pakistani military base in West Pakistan launched Operation Searchlight, a planned military operation against the Bengali nationalist movement in former East Pakistan. The movement consisted of civilians, students, religious minorities, and armed personnel. The Pakistan Army engaged in mass murder and deportation, especially in the capital, Dhaka, where Operation Searchlight and the Dhaka University massacre unfolded.

Approximately ten million Bengali refugees fled to India, while thirty million were internally displaced. The Bangladesh Armed Forces waged guerrilla war against the Pakistan Army, liberating numerous towns and cities in the initial months of the conflict. India, led by Indira Gandhi, supplied economic, diplomatic, and military support to Bangladesh nationalists. The surrender of West Pakistan ended the war in December 1971.