March 1971: When Pakistan's Army Shattered Dhaka

Operations Searchlight remain as low points within recent South Asian historical experiences. It began with Pakistani Army forces launched in March 1971, aimed at halting either the political and societal movement toward independence within East Pakistan or Bangladesh. However, due to the level of violence engaged, it became associated with an operation involving mass violence and relating to staining the national collective consciousness within Bangladesh.

However, it should be pointed out that it is a bitter fact that most of these instances involving violence have been erased from the collective consciousness of today’s Bangladesh. It would appear that due to the fact that these instances involving violations of human rights were so appalling and were carried out by Pakistani soldiers, there would appear to be no memory at all from today’s generation with regards to this unpleasant morsel of historical fact, with no mention made on either the streets or within politics. It would be extremely difficult to accept that there is no memory with regards to any instance involving violence within either the streets or within politics.

Background of Operation Searchlight

It emerged due to an ever-widening cultural, economic, and political divide existing between West Pakistan, soon-to-be Pakistan, and East Pakistan, soon-to-be Bangladesh. It had more people, but it had not been properly represented provincially or with regards to its level of economic development. All these emotions culminated with the result of the 1970 election, as Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Awami League swept the polls. The Pakistani aristocrats were anything but ready for a share of power based on an electoral mandate.

However, with these demands for independence, there was a political deadlock. Historically, for the first time, there was a demand for Non-Cooperation on 7th March 1971, by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which again triggered the movement for independence for East Pakistan. As a result, ‘Operation Searchlight’ began.

Execution of the Operation

Operation Searchlight began on the night of 25 March 1971 (this night will remain black in the history of Bangladesh). The Pakistani Army began an attack on Dhaka as an operation on prominent places including Dhaka University, student hostels, and pockets of Bangali and Bengali Muslims. Operation Searchlight would soon unroll itself on other prominent cities like Chittagong, Rajshahi, and Khulna.

Eyewitness accounts and historical reports record the indiscriminate magnitude of violence:

Massacres: 

Thousands of unarmed civilians were killed on sight. The incident took place at Dhaka University. The victims were university students and lecturers.

Large-Scale Destruction: 

Neighborhoods were destroyed, and hundreds of homes were set on fire. Necessary infrastructures collapsed as a plan to demoralize the resisting forces.

Rape and Sexual Violence: 

Rape became an act of war, wherein thousands of women were raped. Its effects still exist among them. It still exists within the collective psyche of Bangladesh.

Ethnic and Religious Persecution: 

The Hindu populations were also greatly affected, with people either killed or displaced and having to relocate to India, which is the country that surrounds them.

Human Cost

The scale of deaths caused due to Operation Searchlight and Bangladesh Liberation War varies considerably. It will be extremely difficult to make an estimation on it, but there are certain facts that have been set forth at the bottom line relating to 3,00,000 deaths due to the Pakistan Army alone and three million deaths as per reports. It also triggered the generation of millions of refugees who went to India, leaving one of the biggest tragedies of the 20th century.

Global Response

This The voice from outside had remained effectively muffled at the start of the war. However, as soon as news about violence reached them, global sentiment swung against the wrongdoers. Reporters and ambassadors who were actual witnesses to these massacres ensured that the voice of the Bengalis reached the very forefront. Geopolitics, as an element, still enabled the delay of initial global actions in human politics. 

Aftermath and Legacy

Operation Searchlight began with Bangladesh Liberation War, and as a result, there emerged an independent Bangladesh on 16th December 1971 due to the momentum created with the entry of Indian forces. Even today, Bangladesh identity and Pakistan identity have been molded due to the experiences in 1971. 

The question about accountability among the culprits still continues as it existed from 1971. The government of Bangladesh formed an “International Crimes Tribunal” for the trial of culprits who committed the war crime. Despite some culprits being brought before courts, there still prevails no justice for victims. 

Conclusion

The operation searchlight marks an awakening realization about the awful price paid for political oppression, militarism, and unbridled authority. The Bangladeshis will be best understood with the import that they have shown resilience at Bangladesh at the “peak” with dreadful acts. It would be highly imperative and significant for everyone who raises an awareness about the dreadful acts as it is with an intention that victims receive back their rightful dignity.