The Bangladeshi Liberation War (26 March-16 December 1971) was a brief military conflict between the allied Mukti Bahini irregulars of Bangladesh and India and the government of Pakistan and collaborator Razakars (fighters of Jamaat-e-Islami). Internal troubles in Pakistan led to war with India, and East Pakistan was quickly overrun and became independent as Bangladesh. In the west, heavy fighting resulted in relatively little change.
The Birth of Bangladesh[]
When originally created in 1947, Pakistan consisted of western and eastern parts separated by 1,760 km (1,100 miles) of India. The Bengalis of East Pakistan had little in common with the Pakistanis of the west - other than their religion - and felt economically exploited by the government in West Pakistan. From 1954 the Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, pressed for autonomy, winning a major electoral victory in December 1970. Pakistan's government twice postponed calling a new assembly and imprisoned Rahman, which prompted a general strike in East Pakistan. Then, on 26 March, Rahman declared East Pakistan independent as Bangladesh, and set up a government-in-exile in Calbutta, India. This secession led to civil war, as Mukti Bahini guerrillas fought the Pakistani Army. Possibly 1 million Bengalis were killed in the war, with another 10 million fleeing to safety in India.
Indian support for the rebels led the Pakistan Air Force to launch a pre-emptive strike against Indian airfields on 3 December. The war that followed was short. The Indian Army invaded Bengal, while tank battles broke out along the border with West Pakistan. Pakistan's army was quickly defeated, surrendering unconditionally on 16 December. Rahman was released from prison and returned to lead his country to independence. Pakistan finally recognized Bangladesh in 1974.