Bangladesh War of

Independence
• The Bangladesh War of Independence or the Bangladesh Liberation War
refers to an armed conflict between West Pakistan (now Pakistan) and East
Pakistan (now Bangladesh) that lasted for roughly nine months in 1971. The
war resulted in Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan.

• Pakistan's partition from India in 1947 had arisen from the 'two-nation'
thesis that Muslims and Hindus in India were both 'nations' whose people
could not live together.

• When East Bengal was included in the partition, many thought this
mistaken because of the cultural differences between Bengal and the
peoples of what became West Pakistan.
 Bangladesh Liberation War

March 26, 1971 – December 16,

Date 1971

Place Indian Subcontinent

• Surrender of Pakistan
Result • Birth of Bangladesh

Concurrent conflict Indo-Pakistan War of 1971

Major Combatants:
• Bangladesh

• Pakistan

• India
 Casualties

India: 2,000 -3,000 KIA Pakistan ~ 8,000 KIA

4,058 Wounded (Official)
Mukti Bahini: Unknown ~10,000 Wounded

Genocide : 3 million (Bangladeshi estimate),

26,000 (Pakistan estimate), 1-1.5 million
(others)
Prisoners of War: 93,000 (Pakistan troops)
Background:

General election
of Pakistan, 1970
December 7, 1970: Pakistan’s
forgotten fairest
• The first general election of Pakistan was held on December 7, 1970. The two
Pakistans – East and West – had 300 seats in the National Assembly.

• In a landslide victory, partially due to the lacklustre efforts of the government

to tackle the devastating cyclone, and largely to the burning desire of Bangalis
for autonomy, the Awami League alone won 160 seats among the 24
contesting parties.

• The government claimed a high level of public participation and a voter

turnout of almost 63%. The total number of registered voters in the country
was 56,941,500 of which 31,211,220 were from East Pakistan and 25,730,280
were from West Pakistan.
 Resul
ts
Party Votes % Seats
Awami League 12,937,162 39.2 160
Pakistan Peoples Party 6,148,923 18.6 81
Jamaat-e-Islami 1,989,461 6.0 4
Council Muslim League 1,965,689 6.0 7
Muslim League (Qayyum) 1,473,749 4.5 9
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam 1,315,071 4.0 7
Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan 1,299,858 3.9 7

Convention Muslim League 1,102,815 3.3 2

National Awami Party (W) 801,355 2.4 6

Pakistan Democratic Party 737,958 2.2 1

Other parties 387,919 1.2 0

Independents 2,322,341 7.0 16
Total 33,004,065 100 300
December 18, 1970: Riding the
waves
• The State Assembly election for East Pakistan took
place with Awami League sweeping 298 of the 310
seats in East Pakistan. But President Yahya Khan and
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, chairman of Pakistan People’s
Party, refused to accept the people’s demand. The
Pakistanis refused to transfer power to the Bangalis,
wearing thin the patience and planting the seeds of
dissent.
 পূর্ব পাকিস্তানে মোট আসন আওয়ামী লীগের প্রাপ্তি

ধরন মোট আসন

সাধারণ আসন সংরক্ষিত মোট সাধারণ আসন সংরক্ষিত মোট
মহিলা আসন মহিলা আসন

জাতীয় ৩১৩ ১৬২ ৭ ১৬৯ ১৬০ ৭ ১৬৭

পরিষদ

প্রাদেশিক ৬২১ ৩০০ ১০ ৩১০ ২৮৮ ১০ ২৯৮

পরিষদ
Reasons of Awami League’s victory

Impact of the cyclone

• The already tense situation was further aggravated by a tropical cyclone

that struck East Pakistan in 1970. It was a particularly devastating year as
the deadliest cyclone on record—the Bhola cyclone—struck Bangladesh
claiming nearly half a million lives. The apathy of West Pakistan
leadership and its failure in responding quickly was a further platform for
the Awami League, that capitalized on this tragedy. The Pakistan Army
failed to do relief work of any significance to alleviate the problem, which
further antagonized the already estranged Bengali populace.
Political
climax
• The political prelude to the war included several factors. Due to the differences between
the two states, a nascent separatist movement developed in East Pakistan. Any such
movements were sharply limited, especially when martial law was in force between 1958
and 1962 (under General Ayub Khan ) and between 1969 and 1972 (under General Yahya
Khan). These military rulers were of West Pakistani origin and continued to favor West
Pakistan in terms of economic advantages.

• The situation reached a climax when in 1970 the Awami League, the largest East Pakistani
political party, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman , won a landslide victory in the national
elections winning 167 of the 169 seats allotted for East Pakistan, and a majority of the
313 total seats in the National Assembly. This gave the Awami League the right to form a
government. However, the leader of Pakistan People's Party, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, refused
to allow Rahman to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Instead, he proposed a
notion of two Prime Ministers. Bhutto also refused to accept Rahman's Six Points which
would result in autonomy for East Pakistan. On March 3, 1971, the two leaders of the two
wings along with the President General Yahya Khan met in Dhaka to decide the fate of the
country. Talks failed. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called for a nation-wide strike.
March 1, 1971 : Yahya’s gamble

• Millions turned on the radio only to hear a generic radioman

announce the National Assembly was postponed. President Yahya
Khan replaced the East Pakistan governor with a military figure. The
government petitioned the United States to divert 150,000 tons of
wheat from the East to the West. The outraged people took to the
streets.
• Processions were brought out all over Dhaka. Slogans like “Tomar
Amar Thikana, Padma-Meghna-Jamuna,” “Jaago Jaago Bengali
Jaago”, “Bir Bengali Ostro Dhoro Bangladesh Shadhin Koro”, and “Joy
Bangla” echoed in the spring air of Dhaka. Offices were shut down,
employees walked out. The people looked to Sheikh Mujib to
respond.
March 2, 1971 : Curfew
casualties
• The military regime was deluding itself when they believed an 11-hour-
curfew would restraint the determination of Bangalis. The brave
Bangalis who marched risked their lives, and indeed 23 were gunned
down without mercy, without remorse by the Pakistani Army.

• Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman condemned the attack and

announced successive nationwide strikes up until March 6. In the
Dhaka University campus , one of the top student leaders, ASM
Abdur Rab, raised the first flag of independent
Bangladesh to great public appreciation.
March 3, 1971: non-cooperation
movement
• Sheikh Mujibur Rahman rejects Yahya Khan’s proposal for a conference of
political leaders.
• Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called
a nationwide strike
and launched a non-violent non-cooperation
movement. The upsurge by then had spread to the other parts of the
country. Every where the people responded to the great leader
Bangabandhu’s appeal and the movement became more orderly and
effective.
• Bangabandhu also ordered “Continuous Strikes” – a daily shutdown from
7am to 2pm. Accordingly, everything in the country ceased function during
those hours.
March 4, 1971: Charisma of non-
cooperation

• Sheikh Mujibur Rahman praise people for the non-cooperation

movement. A US embassy wire to Washington DC revealed that
Bangabandhu’s March 7 speech could just as well declare
independence for East Pakistan while maintaining the provision for
cooperation and continued relationship between East and West
Pakistan.

• East Pakistan Governor General Sahabzada Yaqub Khan, resigned

from his post, refusing to condone the military action to neutralize
the civil disobedience.
March 5, 1971: 300 lives lost to Pakistani Army’s march towards massacre
• Public demonstrations against West Pakistan preventing Bangalis from
forming a government are brutally suppressed. Over 300 are killed in army
actions on protesters. The army is withdrawn to the barracks even as
protests continue.

March 6, 1971: Butcher of Bengal

• Yahya Khan appointed General Tikka Khan as the governor of East
Pakistan. Tikka’s savagery in East Pakistan earned him the accolade
“Butcher of Bengal” soon. He repeated his monstrosity once more in 1974
for yet another accolade “Butcher of Balochistan.”
March 7, 1971: The • In this speech he mentioned a further
speech four-point condition to consider the
National Assembly Meeting on March
25:
• The immediate lifting of martial law.
• Immediate withdrawal of all military
personnel to their barracks.
• An inquiry into the loss of life.
• Immediate transfer of power to the
elected representative of the people
before the assembly meeting March
25.
• He urged "his people" to turn every
house into a fort of resistance. He
closed his speech saying, "The
struggle this time is for our
freedom. The struggle this
time is for our independence."
Military preparation in
West Pakistan

• General Tikka Khan was flown in to Dhaka to become Governor of East Bengal.
East-Pakistani judges, including Justice Siddique, refused to swear him in.
• MV Swat, a ship of the Pakistani Navy, carrying ammunition and soldiers, was
harbored in Chittagong Port and the Bengali workers and sailors at the port
refused to unload the ship. A unit of East Pakistan Rifles refused to obey
commands to fire on Bengali demonstrators, beginning a mutiny of
Bengali soldiers.
• Between March 10 and 13, Pakistan International Airlines canceled all their
international routes to urgently fly "Government Passengers" to Dhaka. These
so-called "Government Passengers" were almost exclusively Pakistani soldiers in
civil uniform.
The war of
Independence
Reasons for
war
• Years before the war

During the Partition of India, Pakistan, as a country, gained independence

on August 14, 1947 following the end of British rule over South Asian
countries. The division was made based on religion.
Pakistan was created out of Muslim majority territories in the West and
East, and India was created out of the vast Hindu majority regions in the
center. The Western zone was popularly called West Pakistan and the
Eastern zone (modern-day Bangladesh) was called East Bengal and later,
East Pakistan. The capital of Pakistan was established in Karachi in West
Pakistan and then moved to Islamabad in 1958.
• West Pakistan (consisting of four provinces:
Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and North-West Economic
Frontier Province) dominated the divided
country and received more money than the exploitation
more populous East.

Spending on West Spending on East

Percentage Spent on
Between 1948 and 1960, East Pakistan's export Year Pakistan (in crore
Rupees)
Pakistan (in crore
Rupees)
East

earnings had been 70 percent while it only

received 25 percent of import earning. In 1948
(shortly after independence from the UK), East 1950/51-54/55 1129 524 46

Pakistan had 11 textile mills while West had 9. In

1971, the number of textile mills in the West 1955/56-59/60 1655 524 32

had grown to 150 while that in the East had only

gone up to 26. A transfer of 2.6 billion dollars (in 1960/61-64/65 3355 1404 42

1971 exchange rates) worth resources was also

1965/66-69/70 5195 2141 41
done over time from East Pakistan to West
Pakistan. Moreover it was felt that much of the Total 12834 4300 34

income generated by the east was primarily

Source: Reports of the Advisory Panels for the Fourth Five Year Plan 1970-75, Vol. I,
diverted towards fighting wars in Kashmir. published by the planning commission of Pakistan
Difference in religious
standpoints
• One of the key issue was the extent to which Islam was followed. West
Pakistan with an overwhelming 97 percent Muslim population was less
liberal (in religious terms) than East Pakistan which was at least 15 percent
non-Muslim (mainly Hindus).
• Bengalis' are proud of their common literary and cultural heritage in which
Muslim, Hindu and Christian writers are held in high esteem across the
religious divide. The difference was made further clear after Bangladeshi
independence, when Bangladesh was established as a secular country
under the name "People's Republic of Bangladesh" rather than as the
Islamic Republic of Bangladesh. This was in tribute to all those, Muslim and
non-Muslim, who had taken part in the independence struggle.
Other factors including
language
• Close ties existed between East Pakistan and
West Bengal, one of the Indian states bordering
Bangladesh, as both were composed mostly of
Bengalis. West Pakistan viewed East Pakistani
links with India unfavorably as relations between
India and Pakistan had been very poor since
independence.

• Language movement
 • On the night of March 25, Pakistan Army
began a violent effort to suppress the
Bengali opposition. In Bangladesh, and
elsewhere, the Pakistani actions are
referred to as genocide .
Violence of March 25: • Before carrying out these acts, all foreign
Operation Searchlight journalists were systematically deported
from Bangladesh.

• Bengali members of military services

were disarmed.
• The operation was called Operation
Searchlight by Pakistani Army and was
carefully devised by several top-ranked
army generals to "crush" Bengalis.
• Although the violence focused on the provincial capital,
Dhaka, the process of ethnic elimination was also carried
out all around Bangladesh. Residential halls of University of
Dhaka were particularly targeted. The only Hindu
residential hall—the Jagannath Hall—was destroyed by the
Pakistani armed forces, and an estimated 600 to 700 of its
residents were murdered.

• This fact and the massacre at Jagannath Hall and nearby

student dormitories of Dhaka University are corroborated by
a videotape secretly filmed by Prof. Nur Ullah of the East
Pakistan Engineering University, whose residence was
directly opposite to the student dormitories.
Declaration of independence

• On March 26, the nation waged an armed struggle against the

Pakistani occupation forces following the killings of the night of 25
March. The Pakistani forces arrested Sheikh Mujib, who, through a
wireless message, had called upon the people to resist the occupation
forces [source: The Daily Star, March 26 2005].

• Mujib was arrested on the night of March 25-26, 1971 at about 1:30
A.M. (per Radio Pakistan’s news on March 29, 1971) which means
effectively on March 26, 1971.
Declaration of independence
• On March 26, 1971, M. A. Hannan, an Awami League leader from Chittagong, is
said to have made the first announcement of the declaration of independence
over radio,

• Sheikh Mujibur Rahman signed an official declaration on March 25, 1971 that read:
Today Bangladesh is a sovereign and independent country. On Thursday
night West Pakistani armed forces suddenly attacked the police barracks at
Razarbagh and the EPR headquarters at Pilkhana in Dhaka. Many innocent
and unarmed have been killed in Dhaka city and other places of Bangladesh.
Violent clashes between EPR and Police on the one hand and the armed
forces of Pakistan on the other, are going on. The Bengalis are fighting the
enemy with great courage for an independent Bangladesh. May God aid us
in our fight for freedom. Joy Bangla.
 • A telegram reached some students in Chittagong.
They realized the message could be broadcast
from Agrabad Station of Radio Pakistan. The
message was translated to Bangla by Dr Manjula
Declaration of Anwar. They failed to secure permission from
higher authorities to broadcast the message.
independence
• They crossed Kalurghat Bridge into an area
controlled by East Bengal Regiment under Major
Ziaur Rahman. Bengali soldiers guarded the
station as engineers prepared for transmission. At
19:45 on March 26, 1971, Major Ziaur Rahman
broadcast another announcement of the
declaration of independence on behalf of Sheikh
Mujibur which is as follows.
Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendro

This is Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendro. I, Major Ziaur Rahman, at the

direction of Bangobondhu Mujibur Rahman, hereby declare that the
independent People's Republic of Bangladesh has been established. At his
direction, I have taken command as the temporary Head of the Republic.
In the name of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, I call upon all Bengalis to rise
against the attack by the West Pakistani Army. We shall fight to the last to
free our Motherland. By the grace of Allah, victory is ours. Joy Bangla.

Kalurghat Radio Station's transmission capability was limited. The message was picked up by a
Japanese ship in Bay of Bengal and then re-transmitted by Radio Australia and later the British
Broadcasting Corporation.
The Main
war
Mukti Bahini

• The Mukti Bahini (Bengali: মুক্তি বাহিনী, translates as 'freedom fighters', or

liberation army), also known as the Bangladesh Forces, was the guerrilla
resistance movement consisting of the Bangladeshi military, paramilitary
and civilians during the War of Liberation that transformed East Pakistan
into Bangladesh in 1971. An earlier name Mukti Fauj was also used. Mukti
Bahini and Kader Bahini were created, armed and provided logistics support
by India's intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) during the
Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.

• On 7 March 1971 Sheikh Mujibur Rahman issued a call to the people of East
Pakistan to prepare themselves for an all-out struggle. Later that evening
resistance demonstrations began,[9] and the military began a full-scale
retaliation with Operation Searchlight, which continued through May 1971.
• A formal military leadership of the resistance was created in April 1971 under
the Provisional Government of Bangladesh. The military council was headed by
General M. A. G. Osmani and eleven sector commanders.

• The Bangladesh Armed Forces were established on 4 April 1971. In addition to

regular units, such as the East Bengal Regiment and the East Pakistan Rifles,
the Mukti Bahini also consisted of the civilian Gonobahini (People's Force).

• The most prominent divisions of the Mukti Bahini were the Z Force led by Major
Ziaur Rahman, the K Force led by Major Khaled Mosharraf and the S Force led by
Major K M Shafiullah. Awami League student leaders formed militia units,
including the Mujib Bahini, the Kader Bahini and Hemayet Bahini. The
Communist Party of Bangladesh, led by Comrade Moni Singh, and activists from
the National Awami Party also operated several guerrilla battalions.
• Using guerrilla warfare tactics, the Mukti Bahini secured control over large
parts of the Bengali countryside. It conducted successful "ambush and
sabotage" campaigns, and included the nascent Bangladesh Air Force and
the Bangladesh Navy. The Mukti Bahini received training and weapons from
India, where people in West Bengal shared a common Bengali ethnic and
linguistic heritage with East Pakistan.

• During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Mukti Bahini became part of
the Bangladesh-India Allied Forces. It was instrumental in securing the
Surrender of Pakistan and the liberation of Dacca and other cities in
December 1971.
11 sectors
• During Bangladesh War of Independence the Bangladesh
Forces (not to be confused with Mukti Bahini) were divided
in the geographical area of Bangladesh into eleven divisions
designated as sectors. Each sector had a sector commander.
Division Commanders who directed the military operation
further coordinated through several sub-sectors under sub-
sector commanders who fought along with their troops and
civilian resistance fighters.

• Most of the Sector Commanders and quite a number of sub

sector commanders remained in security under Indian BSF
border camps such as Wing Commander Bashar, Major
Shafiullah, Major Mir Shawkat Ali.
11 sectors
SECTOR
1
• Commander: Maj Ziaur Rahman, Captain Rafiqul Islam
• Sector 1 comprised of the districts of Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts, and theentire eastern area of the
Noakhali district on the banks of the river Muhuri in the Belonia Bulge. The headquarters of the sector was at
Harina. The sector commander was Major Ziaur Rahman, later replaced by Major Rafiqul Islam. The five sub-
sectors of this sector (and their commanders) were: Rishimukh (Captain Shamsul Islam); Sreenagar (Captain Matiur
Rahman, later replaced by Captain Mahfuzur Rahman); Manughat (Captain Mahfuzur Rahman); Tabalchhari
(Subedar Ali Hossain); and Dimagiri (a subedar).

• A contingent of nearly ten thousand freedom fighters fought in this sector. They included about two thousand
regular troops which comprised of 1400 EPR personnel, 200 policemen, 300 army personnel and 100 men from
the navy and air force and about eight thousand paramilitary troops. The guerilla fighters of this sector were
deputed to operate inside the country in 137 groups.

Sub Sectors (Commanders):

Rishimukh, Sreenagar, Manughat, Tabalchhari, Dimagiri

SECTOR 2
• Commander: Major Khaled Mosharraf, Major ATM Haider
• Sector 2 comprised of the districts of Dhaka, Comilla, and Faridpur, and part of Noakhali
district. This sector was raised from the nucleus of 4 East Bengal and the EPR troops of Comilla
and Noakhali. The sector was located at Melaghar about 20 miles south of Agartala. About
thirty five thousand guerilla fighters fought in this sector. Nearly six thousand of them were
members of regular armed forces. Due to the operations of this sector the Dhaka-Chittagong
highway in between Comilla and Feni was denied to the Pakistanis throughout the nine months
of war of liberation. One of the most successful operations of this sector was the defence of
the Belonia Bulge. The entries Belonia Bulge was kept liberated by the combined forces of 1
and 2 sectors till 21 June. In this sector, a number of regular companies operated deep inside
Bangladesh. These were the Noakhali Company operating around Begumganj, the Chandpur
Company operating in Chandpur Matlab area, a large force operating in Manikganj-Munshiganj
area in Dhaka and another force at Faridpur. The urban guerrillas carried out a number of
successful operations in Dhaka city itself.

Sub Sectors: Gangasagar, Akhaura and Kasba; Mandabhav; Shalda-nadi; Matinagar;

Nirbhoypur; Rajnagar
SECTOR 3

• Commander: Major KM Shafiullah, Captain ANM Nuruzzaman

• Sector 3 comprised of the area between Churaman Kathi (near Sreemangal) and
Sylhet in the north and Singerbil of Brahmanbaria in the south. This sector was
formed by some of the troops of 2 East Bengal and the EPR troops of Sylhet and
Mymensingh.

• The sector headquarters was at Hejamara. Nineteen guerilla bases operated in this
sector. By November 1971, the number of the guerilla fighters in the sector stood at
nearly thirty thousand. They blew up a number of bridges on Comilla-Sylhet road
which cut off Pakistan army’s lines of communication. One of their most successful
operations was the blowing up of a train by anti-tank mine near Shayestaganj. The
ten sub-sectors of this sector were: Asrambari; Baghaibari; Hatkata; Simla;
Panchabati; Mantala; Vijoynagar; Kalachhara; Kalkalia; and Bamutia.
SECTOR 4
• Commander: Major Chittarajan Datta, Lt Col Md Abdur Rob

• Sector 4 comprised of the area from Habiganj sub-division of Sylhet district

on the north to Kanaighat thana on the south along the 100 mile long
border with India. The sector was organised from amongst the EPR troops
of Sylhet and student freedom fighters.

• The sector commander was Major Chittarajan Datta, later replaced by

Captain A Rab. The headquarters of the sector was initially at Karimganj and
later at Masimpur in Assam. The freedom fighters in this sector included
about nine thousand guerilla fighters and about four thousand regular
members of the armed forces. The six sub-sectors of this sector were:
Jalalpur; Barapunji; Amlasid; Kukital; Kailas Shahar; Kamalpur
SECTOR 5

Commander: Major Mir Shawkat Ali

• Sector 5 comprised of the area from Durgapur to Dauki (Tamabil) of Sylhet

district and the entire area upto the eastern borders of the district. The
headquarters of the sector was at Banshtala. The sector was composed of 800
regulars and 5000 guerillas. The sector covered most of the marshy areas of
Sunamganj and Chhatak.
• The six sub-sectors of this sector were: Muktapur; Dauki; Shela; Bholaganj;
Balat; and Barachhara. Troops of this sector blew up a number of bridges on
Sylhet, Tamabil and Sylhet-Sunamgonj roads. The most successful operation of
this sector was the raid on Chhatak.
SECTOR 6
• Commander: Wing Commander Khademul Bashar

• Sector 6 comprised of entire Rangpur district and Thakurgaon subdivision of

Dinajpur district. The sector was formed mostly from EPR troops of Rangpur
and Dinajpur. The headquarters of the sector was at Burimari near Patgram,
and this was the only sector which had its headquarters inside Bangladesh

• territory. The number of soldiers in this sector was 700, which rose to about
eleven thousand in December consisting of 2000 regular force and 9000
Gana Bahini. The five sub-sectors of the sector were: Bhajanpur; Patgram;
Sahebganj; Mogalhat; and Chilahati. The northern areas of Rangpur district
were held by the troops of this sector. The guerillas of this sector
established 35 bases all over Rangpur and Dinajpur.
SECTOR 7
• Commander: Major Nazmul Haque, Major Quazi Nuruzzaman

• Sector 7 comprised of the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogra and southern

part of Dinajpur district. This sector was organised from the EPR troops who
had given the initial battles at Rajshahi under Captain Ghiyas and Captain
Rashid.
• The headquarters of the sector was at Tarangapur near Balurghat. About
2500 regulars and 12500 guerillas fought in this sector. The eight sub-
sectors of the sector were: Malan; Tapan; Mehdipur; Hamzapur;
Anginabad; Sheikhpara; Thokrabari; and Lalgola. The troops of this sector
raided Maheskanda and Paragpur in June and the Mohanpur police station
in August inflicting heavy casualties to the enemy. Captain Idris,
commander of the Hamzapur sub-sector, ambushed several Pakistani
columns and blew up a train near Parbatipur.
SECTOR 8
• Commander: Major Osman Chowdhury, Major MA Manzoor

• Sector 8 In April 1971, the operational area of the sector comprised the districts
of Kushtia, Jessore, Khulna, Barisal, Faridpur and Patuakhali. At the end of May
the sector was reconstituted and comprised the districts of Kusthia, Jessore and
Khulna, Satkhira sub-division, and the northern part of Faridpur district.

• The headquarters of the sector was at Kalyani. The sector had 3000 regulars and
25,000 guerillas. The regular forces held a number of liberated areas while the
guerillas established several bases deep inside Bangladesh. In this sector a new
tactics was followed. Regular troops were made to infiltrate 7 of 8 miles inside
Bangladesh and take up all-round defence around a tactical feature, thereby
inviting the Pakistan army to attack on them. By doing so, they inflicted heavy
casualties to the attacking enemy. The seven sub-sectors of the sector were:
Boyra; Hakimpur; Bhomra; Lalbazar; Banpur; Benapole; and Shikarpur.
SECTOR 9
• Commander: Major M A Jalil, Major MA Manzur, Major Joynal
Abedin
• Sector 9 comprised of the districts of Barisal and Patuakhali, and
southern part of Khulna and part of Faridpur district. The
headquarters of the sector was established at Taki near Bashirhat.
The sector had about 20,000 freedom fighters. The three sub-
sectors of the were: Taki, Hingalganj, and Shamshernagar. In this
sectror even regular troops operated deep inside Bangladesh. The
troops of this sector also raided Debhata Shyamnagar police
stations. The water channels of Barisal-Patuakhali area mostly
dominated by river patrolling. Prior to the final offensive in
December this sector was merged with sector 8 and placed
under the command of Major Manzoor.
SECTOR 10

• Commander: Commander HQ BD Forces (December 3–16, 1971)

• This sector was constituted with the naval commandos. This sector was
constituted with the naval commandos. Eight Bangali officers of Pakistan Navy
trained in France were the pioneers in forming this force. These officers were of
the Indian Navy. They were joined by a number of sailors who had defected
from Pakistan Navy. A group of 150 student volunteers were selected from
various sectors who were known to be good swimmers and sent to this camp
for training. They were trained in fragmenship and use of limpet mines for
destruction of ships and vessels. On completion of training in the first week of
August, four groups were sent to the ports of Chittagong, Narayanganj,
Daudkandi and Mongla for destruction and saboteering of coastal vessels
anchored there. On the day of independence of Pakistan, all the four groups
striked simultaneously and destroyed a good number of ships and other vessels.
 SECTOR 11
• Commander: Major Ziaur Rahman, Abu Taher, Squadron Leader M Hamidullah
Khan
• Sector 11 comprised of the districts of Tangail and Mymensingh excluding
Kishoreganj sub-division. Major M Abu Taher was the sector commander. After
Major Taher was seriously wounded in a battle, he was replaced by Squadron
Leader Hamidullah. The headquarters of the sector was at Mahendraganj. About
twenty five thousand freedom fighters fought in this sector. The eight sub-
sectors of the sector (and their commanders) were: Mainkarchar; Mahendraganj;
Purakhasia; Dhalu; Rangra; Shivabari; Bagmara); and Maheshkhola. Guerilla
activities were predominant in this sector, and regular forces held librated areas
near the border. subedar Aftab held a huge chunk of liberated territory at
Rahumani throughout the nine months of the war. In this sector, even women took
up arms to fight the Pakistanis. Besides, Quader Siddiqi, a renowned free lance
freedom fighter from Tangail, organized 16,000 guerillas in his district and carried
out a number of successful operations against the Pakistan army quite
Atrocities
• The Bangladesh liberation war witnessed widespread atrocities committed
mainly on the Bengali population of East Pakistan, at a level that
Bangladeshis maintain is one of the worst genocides in history.
• The actual extent of the atrocities committed is not clearly known, and
opinions vary, as the next section discusses. However, there is little doubt
that numerous civilians were tortured and killed during the war. There are
many mass graves in Bangladesh, and newer ones are always being
discovered, such as a recent one in a mosque in Dhaka located in the
non-Bengali region of the city. The first night of war on Bengalis, which is
very well documented, saw indiscriminate killings of students of Dhaka
University and other civilians.
How many people died?

• The number of people that died in the liberation war of Bangladesh is not
known in any reliable accuracy. There has been a great disparity in the
casualty figures put forth by Pakistan on one hand (26,000) and India and
Bangladesh on the other hand (3 million). International media has also had
different views. Due to the lack of records and the long time that has since
passed, an accurate number is hard to get, though various arguments for
and against certain numbers have been put forward. Most guesses fall
somewhere between a few hundred thousand and two million.
Atrocities on women
• Numerous women were tortured, raped and killed during the war. Again, exact
numbers are not known and are a subject of debate. Bangladeshi sources cite a
staggering figure of 200,000 women raped. Some other sources, for example Susan
Brownmiller, refer to an even higher number of 400,000. Pakistani sources claim the
number is much lower, though having not completely denied rape incidents.

• There has been evidence of not only rape (and usually subsequent murder) of women,
but of sex slaves kept captive by the Pakistan army. During the last periods of war, when
the Pakistani army was retreating, the Mukti Bahini and Indian forces reported freeing
numerous such women. Apart from Brownmiller's, another work that has included
direct experiences from the women raped is Ami Virangana Bolchhi ("I, the heroine,
speak") by Nilima Ibrahim. The work includes in its name from the word Virangana
(Heroine), given by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after the war, to the raped and tortured
women during the war. This was a conscious effort to alleviate any social stigma the
women might face in the society. How successful this effort was is doubtful, though.
Atrocities on minorities

• The minorities of Bangladesh, specially the Hindus , were the biggest targets
of the Pakistan army. There was widespread killing of Hindu males, and
rapes of women. In public places, men were often made to undress to prove
that they have been circumcised and hence were Muslim. More than 60
percent of the Bengali refugees that had fled to India were Hindus, and
many never returned. It is not exactly known what percentage of the people
killed by the Pakistan army were Hindus, but it is safe to say it was
disproportionately high. This widespread violence against Hindus was
motivated by a policy to purge East Pakistan of what was seen as Indian
influence. The West Pakistani rulers identified the Bengali culture with Hindu
and Indian culture, and thought that the eradication of Hindus would
remove such influences from the majority Muslims in East Pakistan.
Killing of intellectuals
• The Pakistani ruling class had long formed a distaste for Bengali intelligista and students. They
viewed them, correctly, as one of the main proponents of the rise of Bengali nationalism in
East Pakistan. This group had been instrumental in the 1952 uprising called the Language
movement, which ended in Pakistan accepting Bangla as one of its national languages. The
famed six-point demand put forward by Mujib, which became the rallying point for Awami
League in the years before the war, was derived from the earlier 11-point program penned by
the students. In an attempt to undermine the rising Bengali identity, Pakistan had variously
tried to have Bangla written in roman letters, ban singing the songs of Rabindranath Tagore,
mostly in vain. The rulers, again correctly, also found a growing leftist sentiment in the
intelligista and student bodies which they vowed to crush. Hence during the war, a planned
effort was made to void Bangladesh of its most enlightened people. In addition to the killings
committed at the beginning and all throughout the war, a meticulously planned execution was
carried out on December 14, 1971. Professors, journalists, doctors, artists, writers of unknown
numbers were rounded up in Dhaka, blindfolded, taken to Rajarbag in the middle section of
the city, and executed en masse. This day is now honored in Bangladesh as Buddhijibi Hotta
Dibosh ("Day of Martyred Intellectuals").
End of the war
• After Pakistan's surrender late in 1971, people in Bangladesh rejoiced at their liberation. This was
followed by the need for international acceptance for Bangladesh, as only a few countries recognized
the new nation. Bangladesh sought admission into the UN, Most members voting in its favor but China
vetoed recognition, as Pakistan was its key ally. However the United States grudgingly recognized it.
• To ensure a smooth transition, in 1972 the Shimla Agreement was signed between India and Pakistan.
The treaty was a watershed in the history of the South Asian region as it ensured that Bangladesh
would be officially recognized by Pakistan and its principal allies in exchange for the return of the
Pakistani POWs.

• As a gesture of goodwill, the nearly 200 soldiers who were wanted for war crimes by Bengalis were
also pardoned by India. The accord also gave back more than 13,000 sq. km of land that Indian troops
had won in West Pakistan during the war, holding on to a few strategic places; most notably Kargil
(which would in turn again be the focal point for a war between the two nations in 1999). However,
the agreement was acknowledged by many observers as a sign of India's maturity. Some in India felt
that the treaty had been too lenient towards Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who had pleaded for more leeway as
he felt that the fragile democracy in Pakistan would crumble if the accord was perceived as being too
harsh in Pakistan.
December
15
• Zulfikar Ali Bhutto makes an agitated speech at the UN Security Council.

• So what if Dacca falls? So what if the whole of East Pakistan falls? So what if the
whole of West Pakistan falls? We will build a new Pakistan. We will build a better
Pakistan … We will fight for a thousand years

• Nixon, Kissinger discuss Soviet president's letter

• Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev said in a letter: “The
Soviet Union guarantees there will be
no military action against West Pakistan.”

Telegram from the Consulate General in Dacca to the Department of State

• “I have been informed by Governor Malik and General Farman Ali that President Yahya Khan strongly desires to
put an end to hostilities in EP. For this purpose he wishes to arrange with the Indian Govt an immediate cease-
fire period of at least two hours in which discussions for this purpose can take place between the military
commanders concerned. The President desires honourable conditions for Pakistani troops and protection of
civilians.”
The Niazi Cease-fire Proposal

• “In order to save future loss of innocent human lives which would inevitably
result from further hostilities in the major cities like Dacca, I request you to
arrange for an immediate cease-fire under the following conditions:
(a) Regrouping of Pakistan armed forces in designated areas to be mutually
agreed upon between the commanders of the opposing forces;
(b) To guarantee the safety of all military and paramilitary forces;
(c) Safety of all those who had settled in East Pakistan since 1947;
(d) No reprisals against those who helped the administration since March
1971. In those conditions, the Pakistan armed forces and paramilitary
forces would immediately cease all military operations.
Response to Niazi cease-fire by
General Manekshaw
• “I had previously informed General Farman Ali in two messages that I would
guarantee (a) the safety of all your military and paramilitary forces who
surrender to me in Bangla Desh. (b) Complete protection to foreign nations,
ethnic minorities and personnel of West Pakistan no matter who they may
be. Since you have indicated your desire to stop fighting I expect you to issue
orders to all forces under your command in Bangla Desh to cease-fire
immediately and surrender to my advancing forces wherever they are
located. “Immediately I receive a positive response from you I shall direct
General Aurorea the commander of Indian and Bangla Desh forces in the
Eastern theatre to refrain from all air and ground action against your forces.
As a token of my good faith I have ordered that no air action shall take place
over Dacca from 1700 hours today. “I assure you I have no desire to inflict
unnecessary casualties on your troops as I abhor loss of human lives.”
• Letter from Indian Ambassador to the UN Lakshmi Kant Jha to President Nixon

• The tragic war, which is continuing, could have been averted if during the nine months
prior to Pakistan’s attack on us on December 3, the great leaders of the world had paid
some attention to the fact of revolt, tried to see the reality of the situation and searched
for a genuine basis for reconciliation.

• "Our earnest plea that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman should be released, or that,
even if he were to be kept under detention, contact with him might be
established, was not considered practical on the ground that the US could not
urge policies which might lead to the overthrow of President Yahya Khan.
 • Pakistani Commander Amir
December 16 Abdullah Khan Niazi
surrenders to Lt Gen Jagjit
Singh Aurora, the
commander of the Joint
Forces, at the same Ramna
Race Course where Sheikh
Mujib had made his historic
call for independence only
nine months and nine days
earlier. 
• As a symbol of surrender,
Niazi also handed over his
revolver to Lt Gen Aurora.
More than 90,000 Pakistani
soldiers are taken prisoner
of war by Indian forces.
Timeline of War:
March–June
• At first, resistance was spontaneous and disorganised, and was not expected to be prolonged.
However, when the Pakistani Army cracked down upon the population, resistance grew. The Mukti
Bahini became increasingly active. The Pakistani military sought to quell them, but increasing
numbers of Bengali soldiers defected to this underground "Bangladesh army".

• These Bengali units slowly merged into the Mukti Bahini and bolstered their weaponry with
supplies from India. Pakistan responded by airlifting in two infantry divisions and reorganising their
forces. They also raised paramilitary forces of Razakars, Al-Badrs and Al-Shams (who were mostly
members of the Muslim League and other Islamist groups), as well as other Bengalis who opposed
independence, and Bihari Muslims who had settled during the time of partition.

• On 17 April 1971, a provisional government was formed in Meherpur District in western

Bangladesh bordering India with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was in prison in Pakistan, as
President, Syed Nazrul Islam as Acting President, Tajuddin Ahmad as Prime Minister, and General
Muhammad Ataul Ghani Osmani as Commander-in-Chief, Bangladesh Forces. As fighting grew
between the occupation army and the Bengali Mukti Bahini, an estimated 10 million Bengalis sought
refuge in the Indian states of Assam and West Bengal.
June–September
• The eleven sectors during the Bangladesh Liberation War

• Advertisement for former Beatle George Harrison's "Bangla Desh" single, released in July 1971
to raise international awareness and funds for the millions of Bangladeshi refugees.

• Bangladesh forces command was set up on 11 July, with Col. M. A. G. Osmani as commander-
in-chief (C-in-C) with the status of Cabinet Minister, Lt. Col., Abdur Rabb as chief of Staff (COS),
Group Captain A K Khandker as Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) and Major A R Chowdhury as
Assistant Chief of Staff (ACOS).

• General Osmani had differences of opinion with the Indian leadership regarding the role of the
Mukti Bahini in the conflict. Indian leadership initially envisioned Bengali forces to be trained
into a small elite guerrilla force of 8,000 members, led by the surviving East Bengal Regiment
soldiers operating in small cells around Bangladesh to facilitate the eventual Indian
intervention,[83] but with the Bangladesh government in exile, General Osmani favoured a
different strategy.
• Sending the maximum number to guerrillas inside Bangladesh as soon as possible
with the following objectives:
• Increasing Pakistani casualties through raids and ambush.
• Cripple economic activity by hitting power stations, railway lines, storage depots and
communication networks.
• Destroy Pakistan army mobility by blowing up bridges/culverts, fuel depots, trains and river
crafts.
• The strategic objective was to make the Pakistanis spread their forces inside the province,
so attacks could be made on isolated Pakistani detachments.
• Bangladesh was divided into eleven sectors in July, each with a commander
chosen from defected officers of the Pakistani army who joined the Mukti
Bahini to conduct guerrilla operations and train fighters. Most of their training
camps were situated near the border area and were operated with assistance
from India. The 10th Sector was directly placed under the Commander in Chief
(C-in-C) General M. A. G. Osmani and included the Naval Commandos and C-in-C's
special force. Three brigades (11 Battalions) were raised for conventional warfare;
a large guerrilla force (estimated at 100,000) was trained.
• Three brigades (eight infantry battalions and three artillery batteries) were put
into action between July and September. During June and July, Mukti Bahini had
regrouped across the border with Indian aid through Operation Jackpot and
began sending 2000–5000 guerrillas across the border, the so-called Monsoon
Offensive, which for various reasons (lack of proper training, supply shortage, lack
of a proper support network inside Bangladesh) failed to achieve its objectives.
Bengali regular forces also attacked BOPs in Mymensingh, Comilla and Sylhet ,
but the results were mixed. Pakistani authorities concluded that they had
successfully contained the Monsoon Offensive, which proved a near-accurate
observation.

• Guerrilla operations, which slackened during the training phase, picked up after
August. Economic and military targets in Dacca were attacked. The major success
story was Operation Jackpot, in which naval commandos mined and blew up
berthed ships in Chittagong, Mongla, Narayanganj and Chandpur on 15 August
October–December

Major battles
• Battle of Boyra
• Battle of Garibpur
• Battle of Dhalai
• Battle of Hilli
• Battle of Kushtia

• Bangladeshi conventional forces attacked border outposts. Kamalpur, Belonia and the Battle of
Boyra are a few examples. 90 out of 370 BOPs fell to Bengali forces. Guerrilla attacks intensified,
as did Pakistani and Razakar reprisals on civilian populations. Pakistani forces were reinforced by
eight battalions from West Pakistan. The Bangladeshi independence fighters even managed to
temporarily capture airstrips at Lalmonirhat and Shalutikar. Both of these were used for flying in
supplies and arms from India. Pakistan sent another five battalions from West Pakistan as
reinforcements.
Indian involvement
All unprejudiced persons objectively surveying the grim events in Bangladesh since
March 25 have recognised the revolt of 75 million people, a people who were forced to
the conclusion that neither their life, nor their liberty, to say nothing of the possibility of
the pursuit of happiness, was available to them.
— Indira Gandhi, Letter to Richard Nixon, 15 December 1971
• Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had concluded that instead of taking in millions of
refugees, India would be economically better off going to war against Pakistan. As early
as 28 April 1971, the Indian Cabinet had asked General Manekshaw (Chairman of the
Chiefs of Staff Committee) to "Go into East Pakistan". Hostile relations in the past
between India and Pakistan added to India's decision to intervene in Pakistan's civil war.
As a result, the Indian government decided to support the creation of a separate state
for ethnic Bengalis by supporting the Mukti Bahini. RAW helped to organise, train and
arm these insurgents. Consequently, the Mukti Bahini succeeded in harassing Pakistani
military in East Pakistan, thus creating conditions conducive for a full-scale Indian
military intervention in early December.
Indian
involvement

• The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) launched a pre-emptive strike on

Indian Air Force bases on 3 December 1971. The attack was
modelled on the Israeli Air Force's Operation Focus during the Six-
Day War, and intended to neutralise the Indian Air Force planes on
the ground. The strike was seen by India as an open act of
unprovoked aggression, which marked the official start of the
Indo-Pakistani War. As a response to the attack, both India and
Pakistan formally acknowledged the "existence of a state of war
between the two countries" even though neither government had
formally issued a declaration of war.
• Three Indian corps were involved in the liberation of East
Pakistan. They were supported by nearly three brigades of Mukti
Bahini fighting alongside them, and many more who were
fighting irregularly. That was far superior to the Pakistani army of
three divisions.
• The Indians quickly overran the country, selectively engaging or
bypassing heavily defended strongholds. Pakistani forces were
unable to effectively counter the Indian attack, as they had been
deployed in small units around the border to counter the guerrilla
attacks by the Mukti Bahini.
Air and naval war
• The Indian Air Force carried out several sorties against Pakistan, and within
a week, IAF aircraft dominated the skies of East Pakistan. It achieved near-
total air supremacy by the end of the first week, as the entire Pakistani air
contingent in the east, PAF No.14 Squadron, was grounded because of
Indian and Bangladesh airstrikes at Tejgaon, Kurmitolla, Lal Munir Hat and
Shamsher Nagar.

• Sea Hawks from the carrier INS Vikrant also struck Chittagong, Barisal and
Cox's Bazar, destroying the eastern wing of the Pakistan Navy and
effectively blockading the East Pakistan ports, thereby cutting off any
escape routes for the stranded Pakistani soldiers. The nascent Bangladesh
Navy (comprising officers and sailors who defected from the Pakistani Navy)
aided the Indians in the marine warfare, carrying out attacks, most notably
Operation Jackpot.
Foreign
reaction
• Following Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's declaration of independence in
March 1971, a worldwide campaign was undertaken by the
Provisional Government of Bangladesh to drum up political support for
the independence of East Pakistan as well as humanitarian support for
the Bengali people.

• Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi provided extensive diplomatic and

political support to the Bangladesh movement. She toured many
countries in a bid to create awareness of the Pakistani atrocities against
Bengalis. This effort was to prove vital later during the war, in framing the
world's context of the war and to justify military action by India. Also,
following Pakistan's defeat, it ensured prompt recognition of the newly
independent state of Bangladesh.
USA and USSR
The United States supported Pakistan both politically and materially. U.S. President Richard
Nixon denied getting involved in the situation, saying that it was an internal matter of Pakistan.
But when Pakistan's defeat seemed certain, Nixon sent the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) to the
Bay of Bengal and threatened India with a nuclear strike. Enterprise arrived on station on
December 11, 1971.

Several documents released from the Nixon Presidential Archives show the extent of the tilt
that the Nixon Administration demonstrated in favor of Pakistan. Among them, the infamous
Blood telegram from the US embassy in Dacca, East Pakistan, stated the horrors of genocide
taking place in East Pakistan. Notwithstanding this, Nixon, backed by Henry Kissinger, wanted
to protect the interests of Pakistan as they were apprehensive of India. In fact, even after the
war ended USA wanted to blame India. This propaganda apparently failed in the face of world
opinion.

The Soviet Union had sympathized with the Bangladeshis, and supported the Indian Army
and Mukti Bahini during the war. It gave assurance to India that if a confrontation with United
States evolved, the USSR would provide all necessary support to India. The Soviets also sent in
a nuclear submarine toward off the threat posed by USS Enterprise in the Indian Ocean.
China

• After the USA had failed to act decisively in a manner that would not draw
world condemnation to itself, it sought to rope the
People's Republic of China into the conflict. The plan was to attack India on
two sides with the help of China and thus stopping the attack on East
Pakistan. Kissinger's meeting with the Chinese was with this intention.
• In fact, China was the only permanent member of the UN Security Council
that was supportive of such an attack, and even provided economic and
military assistance. But the support was limited to protecting West Pakistan
in the face of a threat from India, and not aimed directly at the internal
conflict.
• It was also suspicious that the U.S. did not want to dirty its hands. The
Chinese government wanted a strongly worded UN Security Council
resolution after which the PRC would help Pakistan. It however did not
materialize due to the Soviet veto and China did not intervene in the war.
United
Nations
• Though the United Nations condemned the human rights violations, it
failed to defuse the situation politically before the start of the war. The
Security Council assembled on December 4 to discuss the volatile situation
in the South Asia. USSR vetoed the resolution twice. After lengthy
discussions on December 7, the General Assembly promptly adopted by a
majority resolution calling for an "immediate cease-fire and withdrawal of
troops." The United States on December 12 requested that the Security
Council be reconvened. However by the time it was reconvened, and
proposals were finalized, the war ended, making the measures merely
academic.

• The inaction of the United Nations in face of the East Pakistan crisis was
widely criticized. The conflict also exposed the delay in decision making that
failed to address the underlying issues in time.
December (Timeline)
• 3 December: Bangladesh Air Force destroys Pakistani oil depots. Pakistani air attacks on
India result in India declaring war on Pakistan.
• 4 December : Battle of Longewala; Indians stop a Pakistani invasion directed at Jaisalmer.
• 4 to 5 December : Battle of Gazipur in which Indian Army and Mukti Bahini captured
Gazipur
• 5 December : Battle of Basantar; Indians attack and take over Pakistani territory opposite
Jammu.
• 6 December: Bhutan becomes the first country to recognise Bangladesh after India.
Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra becomes Bangladesh Betar.
• 7 to 16 December: Battle of Sylhet, liberation of Jessore, Sylhet and Moulovi Bazar.
• 8 December: Operation Python: Indian naval attack on Karachi, West Pakistan.
• 9 December: Battle of Kushtia: Indian attack from West Bengal into East Pakistan.
Chandpur and Daudkandi liberated from Pakistan.
• 9 December: Meghna Heli Bridge liberated from Pakistan
December (Timeline)

• 10 December: Liberation of Laksham. Two Bangladeshi ships sunk mistakenly by Indian air
attack.
• 11 December: Tangail Airdrop, which liberated Poongli Bridge on Jamuna river
• 11 December: Liberation of Hilli, Mymenshingh, Kushtia and Noakhali. USS Enterprise is
deployed by the US in the Bay of Bengal to intimidate the Indian Navy.

• 13 December: Soviet Navy deploys a group of warships to counter USS Enterprise. The U.S.
moves in the direction of Southeast Asia, averting a confrontation.
• 14 December: Selective genocide of Bengali nationalist intellectuals. Liberation of Bogra.
• 16 December: End of the Bangladesh Liberation War. Mitro Bahini takes Dhaka. East
Pakistan Army surrenders to Mitro Bahini represented by Jagjit Singh Aurora of the Indian
Army faction of the military coalition.
• 22 December: The provisional government of Bangladesh arrives in Dhaka from exile.
Reference:

• Sarker, Probir Kumar, Chronicle: Surrender of Pakistan, birth of Bangladesh (2016, December 15), Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved March 10, 2020,
from https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2016/12/15/timeline-surrender-pakistan-birth-bangladesh

• Ahmed, Salahuddin. (2004). Bangladesh: Past and Present. Aph Publishing. https://
books.google.com.bd/books?id=Szfqq7ruqWgC&pg=PA169&lpg=PA169&dq=reasons+behind+the+landslide+victory+of

• Racioppi, Linda. (1994). Soviet Policy Towards South Asia Since 1970. Cambridge University Press. https
://books.google.com.bd/books?id=jiUic1s7djMC&pg=PA75&lpg=PA75&dq=reasons+behind+the+landslide+victory+of++
awami+league+in+1970+election&source

• War of Liberation and Independent Bangladesh. (2013, August 31). albd. Retrieved march 10, 2020, from http://
my.albd.org/index.php/en/party/history/120-war-of-liberation-and-independent-bangladesh

• Non-Cooperation Movement, 7th March Speech and Preparations for Liberation War. (2013, August 31). albd. Retrieved march 10, 2020,
from http://my.albd.org/index.php/en/party/history/119-non-cooperation-movement-7th-march-speech-and-preparations-for-liberation-war
•
• 1970 Elections: Awami League’s Historic Win. (2013, August 31). albd. Retrieved march 10, 2020, from http://
my.albd.org/index.php/en/party/history/23-history/118-1970-elections-awami-league-s-historic-win
Reference:
• Bangladesh War of Independence. (n.d.). In new world encyclopedia. Retrieved March 10, 2020, from https://
www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Bangladesh_War_of_Independence

• Liberation War. (n.d.). bd-liberation war. Retrieved March 10, 2020, from https://
sites.google.com/site/bdliberationwar1971/sectors-and-sector-commanders

• Mukti Bahini. (n.d.). In wikipedia. Retrieved March 10, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukti_Bahini

• Mitro Bahini order of battle. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved March 10, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitro_Bahini_order_of_battle

• Bangladesh Liberation War. (n.d.). In wikipedia. Retrieved March 10, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh_Liberation_War

• . Timeline of the Bangladesh Liberation War. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved March 10, 2020, from https://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Bangladesh_Liberation_War

• List of sectors in the Bangladesh Liberation War. (n.d.). In wikipedia. Retrieved March 10, 2020, from https://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sectors_in_the_Bangladesh_Liberation_War

• 1970 Pakistani general election. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved March 10, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970_Pakistani_general_election

• March 3, 1971: Awami League launches a non-violent non-cooperation movement ( n.d.). Genocide Bangladesh. Retrieved march 10, 2020, from
http://www.genocidebangladesh.org/march-3-1971-awami-league-launches-a-non-violent-non-cooperation-movement/