Timeline of the Bangladesh Liberation War: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|None}}
{{short description|9 Month long War in East Pakistan}}
{{see also|Timeline of Bangladeshi history}}


{{see also|Timeline of Bangladeshi history}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2022}}
The [[Bangladesh War of Independence]] started on 26 March 1971 and ended on 16 December 1971. Some of the major events of the war are listed in the [[Chronology|timeline]] below.
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
The [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] started on 26 March 1971 and ended on 16 December 1971. Some of the major events of the war are listed in the [[Chronology|timeline]] below.


==Timeline==
==Timeline==
'''Interactive Timeline of the Bangladesh Liberation War'''
'''Interactive Timeline of the Bangladesh War'''


===Before the war===
===Before the war===
*1 March: General [[Yahya Khan]] calls off the session of National Council to be held on 3 March in a radio address.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.liberationwarmuseumbd.org/%E0%A7%A7-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9A-%E0%A7%A7%E0%A7%AF%E0%A7%AD%E0%A7%A7/ |title=March 1, 1971 |website=Liberation War Museum |access-date=9 June 2022}}</ref>
*1 March: [[Yahya Khan|General Yahya Khan]] calls off the session of National Council to be held on 3 March in a radio address.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.liberationwarmuseumbd.org/%E0%A7%A7-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9A-%E0%A7%A7%E0%A7%AF%E0%A7%AD%E0%A7%A7/ |title=March 1, 1971 |website=Liberation War Museum |access-date=9 June 2019}}</ref>
*7 March: [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] – leader of [[Awami League]] party that had won a landslide victory in Pakistan in the Federal Elections of 1970, but never been granted authority – [[7 March Speech of Bangabandhu|announces to a jubilant crowd]] at the [[Suhrawardy Udyan|Dhaka Race Course ground]], "The struggle this time is the struggle for our emancipation! The struggle this time is the struggle for independence!".<ref>{{cite book |last=Ahmed |first=Helal Uddin |year=2012 |chapter=Seventh March Address |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Seventh_March_Address |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]}}</ref>
*7 March: [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] – leader of [[Awami League]] party that had won a landslide victory in [[Pakistan]] in the [[1970 Pakistani general election|Federal Elections of 1970]], but never been granted authority – [[7 March Speech of Bangabandhu|announces to a jubilant crowd]] at the [[Suhrawardy Udyan|Dhaka Race Course ground]], "The struggle this time is the struggle for our emancipation! The struggle this time is the struggle for independence!".<ref>{{cite book |last=Ahmed |first=Helal Uddin |year=2012 |chapter=Seventh March Address |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Seventh_March_Address |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]}}</ref>
*9 March: Workers of Chittagong port refuse to unload weapons from the ship 'Swat'.
*9 March: Workers of Chittagong port refuse to unload weapons from the ship 'MV Swat'.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Refusal to unload MV Swat leads to revolt of Bengali soldiers - |url=https://www.observerbd.com/news/248872 |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=The Daily Observer}}</ref>
*16 March: Yahya Khan starts negotiation with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
*16 March: [[Yahya Khan]] starts negotiation with [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=March 16, 1971: Bangabandhu meets Yahya |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/287992/march-16-1971-bangabandhu-meets-yahya |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=Dhaka Tribune |language=en}}</ref>
*19 March: Nearly 200 people are injured at Jaydevpur during clashes between protesters and the Pakistan Army.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.liberationwarmuseumbd.org/march-19-1971/ |title=March 19, 1971 |website=Liberation War Museum |access-date=9 June 2022}}</ref>
*19 March: Nearly 200 people are injured at Jaydevpur during clashes between protesters and the [[Pakistan Army]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.liberationwarmuseumbd.org/march-19-1971/ |title=March 19, 1971 |website=Liberation War Museum |access-date=9 June 2019}}</ref>
*24 March: The Pakistan Army opens fire on Bengali protesters in Syedpur and Rangpur. About 150 people are killed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.liberationwarmuseumbd.org/march-24-1971/ |title=March 24, 1971 |website=Liberation War Museum |access-date=17 December 2021}}</ref>
*24 March: The Pakistan Army opens fire on Bengali protesters in Syedpur and Rangpur. About 150 people are killed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.liberationwarmuseumbd.org/march-24-1971/ |title=March 24, 1971 |website=Liberation War Museum |access-date=17 December 2021}}</ref>


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====March====
====March====
*25 March to 26 March: Pakistan Army starts genocide in the form of [[Operation Searchlight]] in [[Dhaka]] and the rest of the country, attacking general civilians, political activists, students, and Bengali members of armed forces and police.<ref>{{cite book |last=Salik |first=Siddiq |year=1978 |orig-year=First published 1977 |title=Witness to Surrender |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=90 |isbn=0-19-577257-1}}</ref>
*25 March to 26 March: Pakistan Army starts crackdown in the form of [[Operation Searchlight]] in [[Dhaka]] and the rest of the country, attacking general civilians, political activists, students, and Bengali members of armed forces and police.<ref>{{cite book |last=Salik |first=Siddiq |year=1978 |orig-year=First published 1977 |title=Witness to Surrender |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=90 |isbn=0-19-577257-1}}</ref>
*26 March: At 1.15&nbsp;am, [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] is arrested by the Pakistani 3 commando unit.<ref>[http://www.defencejournal.com/sept98/wayitwas1.htm Brig.Zahir Alam Khan memoir "The Way it Was"]</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Gupta |first1=Jyoti Sen |year=1974 |title=History of freedom movement in Bangladesh, 1943–1973 |publisher=Naya Prokash |page=278 |oclc=891183528 |quote=It was past midnight ... the Pakistani Major looked up at Begum Mujib and said: 'Sorry, we are taking him away'.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Khan |first1=Fazal Muqueem |year=1973 |title=Pakistan's Crisis in Leadership |publisher=National Book Foundation |page=72 |oclc=976643179 |quote=Sheikh Mujib was arrested from his residence in Dhan Mandi at 0130 hours}}</ref><ref name="Matinuddin1994">{{cite book |last=Matinuddin |first=Kamal |title=Tragedy of errors: East Pakistan crisis, 1968–1971 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aONtAAAAMAAJ |year=1994 |publisher=Wajidalis |isbn=978-969-8031-19-0}}</ref> The Independence of Bangladesh is declared by Sheikh Mujibiur Rahman a few minutes before he was arrested by the Pakistani army. At 2.30&nbsp;pm The Independence of Bangladesh was declared by Awami league leader of Chittagong M. A. Hannan on behalf of Bangobondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from Kalurghat. This is Bangladesh's official Independence Day.
*26 March: At 1:15&nbsp;am, [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] is arrested at his home by a Pakistani commando company.<ref>[http://www.defencejournal.com/sept98/wayitwas1.htm Brig.Zahir Alam Khan memoir "The Way it Was"]</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Gupta |first1=Jyoti Sen |year=1974 |title=History of freedom movement in Bangladesh, 1943–1973 |publisher=Naya Prokash |page=278 |oclc=891183528 |quote=It was past midnight ... the Pakistani Major looked up at Begum Mujib and said: 'Sorry, we are taking him away'.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Khan |first1=Fazal Muqueem |year=1973 |title=Pakistan's Crisis in Leadership |publisher=National Book Foundation |page=72 |oclc=976643179 |quote=Sheikh Mujib was arrested from his residence in Dhan Mandi at 0130 hours}}</ref><ref name="Matinuddin1994">{{cite book |last=Matinuddin |first=Kamal |title=Tragedy of errors: East Pakistan crisis, 1968–1971 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aONtAAAAMAAJ |year=1994 |publisher=Wajidalis |isbn=978-969-8031-19-0 |page=247 |quote=Within 15 minutes of [1 a.m.] ... Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rahman was arrested from his Dhonmandi residence ... The commando company}}</ref> The Independence of Bangladesh is declared by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman a few minutes before he was arrested by the Pakistan army.  
*27 March: Independence of Bangladesh is again declared by Maj. [[Ziaur Rahman]] on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.<ref name="Matinuddin1994" /><ref>{{cite book |last1=Safiullah |first1=K M |year=1989 |title=Bangladesh at War |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ph0NAAAAIAAJ&q=shawadhin |publisher=Academic Publishers |page=45 |isbn=9789840801091 |oclc=24300969}}</ref>
*27 March: Independence of Bangladesh is again declared by Maj. [[Ziaur Rahman]] on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,<ref>{{cite book |last=Matinuddin |first=Kamal |title=Tragedy of errors: East Pakistan crisis, 1968–1971 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aONtAAAAMAAJ |year=1994 |publisher=Wajidalis |isbn=978-969-8031-19-0 |page=255}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Safiullah |first1=K M |year=1989 |title=Bangladesh at War |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ph0NAAAAIAAJ&q=shawadhin |publisher=Academic Publishers |page=45 |isbn=9789840801091 |oclc=24300969}}</ref> [[Santahar massacre]] is committed by the Mukti Bahini, thousands of non-Bengalis are attacked by Mukti Bahini members.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kamrani |first=Farrukh |date=December 16, 2017 |title=Fall of Dhaka: How Mukti Bahini 'cleansed' Santahar town of non-Bengalis, An account of methodical massacre of around twenty thousand men, women and children |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1585095/mukti-bahini-cleansed-santahar-non-bengalis |access-date=December 8, 2024 |work=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref>
*31 March: Kushtia resistance begins.
*27 March: [[Mukti Bahini|Bangladesh Forces]] and [[Partisan (military)|Partisans]] [[Mymensingh Cantonment massacre|massacred]] Pakistani Soldiers at Mymensingh Cantonment.
*31 March: [[Battle of Kushtia]], Kushtia resistance begins.


====April====
====April====
*2 April: [[Jinjira massacre]].
*2 April: [[Jinjira massacre]].
*6 April: [[Archer Blood|The Blood Telegram]]
*6 April: [[Archer Blood|The Blood Telegram]]
*8 April: [[Battle of Rangamati-Mahalchari waterway]].
*10 April: A provisional Bangladesh government-in-exile is formed.
*11 April: Radio address by [[Tajuddin Ahmad]], the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
*11 April: Radio address by [[Tajuddin Ahmad]], the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
*10 April: A provisional Bangladesh government-in-exile is formed.
*12 April: [[M. A. G. Osmani]] takes up the command of Bangladesh Armed Forces.
*12 April: [[M. A. G. Osmani]] takes up the command of Bangladesh Armed Forces.
*17 April: A provisional government-in-exile took oath in [[Baidyanathtala]] (now called [[Mujibnagar]]) in [[Meherpur District]]
*17 April: A provisional government-in-exile took oath in [[Baidyanathtala]] (now called [[Mujibnagar]]) in [[Meherpur District]]
*18 April: [[Mostafa Kamal (Bir Sreshtho)|Battle of Daruin]], Comilla and [[Munshi Abdur Rouf|Battle of Rangamati-Mahalchari waterway]], [[Chittagong Hill Tracts]].
*18 April: [[Battle of Daruin]], [[Comilla]] and [[Chittagong Hill Tracts]].
*24 April: Formation of Bangladesh Action Committee at Coventry, UK by non-resident Bangladeshis.
*24 April: Formation of Bangladesh Action Committee at Coventry, UK by non-resident Bangladeshis.
*25 April to 15 August: [[Operation Jackpot]] by Mukti Bahini  
*25 April to 15 August: [[Operation Jackpot]] by Mukti Bahini  
*28 April: [https://web.archive.org/web/20081122022106/http://www.profile-bengal.com/0428_71_tajuddin_plea.htm Tajuddin pleas for arms aid to neighbors.]
*28 April: Tajuddin pleas for arms aid to India.<ref>[http://www.profile-bengal.com/0428_71_tajuddin_plea.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122022106/http://www.profile-bengal.com/0428_71_tajuddin_plea.htm|date=November 22, 2008}}</ref>


====May====
====May====
*5 May: [[Gopalpur massacre]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Locals still have nightmare about supreme sacrifices of Lt. Azim, 200 others |url=http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/05/08/all0769.htm |work=The New Nation |date=8 May 2022}}</ref>
*5 May: [[Gopalpur massacre]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Locals still have nightmare about supreme sacrifices of Lt. Azim, 200 others |url=http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/05/08/all0769.htm |work=The New Nation |date=8 May 2009}}</ref>
*15 May: Indian army starts aiding [[Mukti Bahini]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Islam |first=Rafiqul |year=1981 |title=A Tale of Millions |publisher=Bangladesh Books International |page=211 |oclc=499426590}}</ref>
*15 May: Indian army starts aiding [[Mukti Bahini]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Islam |first=Rafiqul |year=1981 |title=A Tale of Millions |publisher=Bangladesh Books International |page=211 |oclc=499426590}}</ref>
*20 May:The [[Chuknagar massacre]] takes place at [[Khulna]] where the Pakistan army kills nearly 10 thousand people
*20 May:The [[Chuknagar massacre]] takes place at [[Khulna]] where the Pakistan army kills nearly 10 thousand people
*24 May: [[Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra]] finds home in Kolkata.
*24 May: [[Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra]] finds home in Kolkata.
 
====June====
*12 June: [[Battle of Kamalpur]] begins.
====July====
====July====
* 11–17 July: Sector Commanders Conference in 1971.
* 11–17 July: Sector Commanders Conference in 1971.
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====September====
====September====
*5 September: [[Nur Mohammad Sheikh|Battle of Goahati]], Jessore.
*5 September: [[Nur Mohammad Sheikh|Battle of Goalhati]], Jessore.
*28 September: [[Bangladesh Air Force]] starts functioning.
*28 September: [[Bangladesh Air Force]] starts functioning.


====October====
====October====
*13 October: Dhaka guerrillas kill [[Abdul Monem Khan]], governor of East Pakistan.
*13 October: Dhaka guerrillas kill [[Abdul Monem Khan]], governor of East Pakistan.
*28 October to 3 November: [[Battle of Dhalai]] in which 3 companies (215 soldiers) of the Jat Regiment (2 JAT) of Indian Army defeated a battalion (800 soldiers) of 30th Frontier Force Rifles (30 FFR) of Pakistan Army.<ref name=JAT1>{{cite book |last=Sinh |first=Ramdhir |date=2013 |title=A Talent for War: The Military Biography of Lt Gen Sagat Singh |publisher=Vij Books India Private Limited |location=New Delhi |isbn=978-9382573739}}</ref><ref name=JAT2>{{cite magazine | url= http://defencejournal.com/dec98/battle-dhalai.htm | title = Battle of Dhalai | magazine=Defence Journal | date=December 1998 |pages=30–36 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991007045605/http://defencejournal.com/dec98/battle-dhalai.htm |archive-date=7 October 1999}}</ref><ref name=JAT3>{{cite news |date=17 December 2013 |title=Notable battles in the 11 Sectors |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2013/dec/17/notable-battles-11-sectors |newspaper=Dhaka Tribune |access-date=27 November 2022}}</ref> [[Hamidur Rahman]] of [[Mukti Bahini]] was posthumously awarded the [[Bir Sreshtho]], the highest recognition of bravery in Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite news |title=War heroes honoured |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/story.php?nid=115066 |work=The Daily Star |agency=UNB |date=21 November 2009 |access-date=18 June 2022}}</ref>
*28 October to 3 November: [[Battle of Dhalai]] in which 3 companies (215 soldiers) of the Jat Regiment (2 JAT) of Indian Army defeated a battalion (800 soldiers) of 30th Frontier Force Rifles (30 FFR) of Pakistan Army.<ref name=JAT1>{{cite book |last=Sinh |first=Ramdhir |date=2013 |title=A Talent for War: The Military Biography of Lt Gen Sagat Singh |publisher=Vij Books India Private Limited |location=New Delhi |isbn=978-9382573739}}</ref><ref name=JAT2>{{cite magazine | url= http://defencejournal.com/dec98/battle-dhalai.htm | title = Battle of Dhalai | magazine=Defence Journal | date=December 1998 |pages=30–36 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991007045605/http://defencejournal.com/dec98/battle-dhalai.htm |archive-date=7 October 1999}}</ref><ref name=JAT3>{{cite news |date=17 December 2013 |title=Notable battles in the 11 Sectors |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2013/dec/17/notable-battles-11-sectors |newspaper=Dhaka Tribune |access-date=27 November 2015}}</ref> [[Hamidur Rahman]] of [[Mukti Bahini]] was posthumously awarded the [[Bir Sreshtho]], the highest recognition of bravery in Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite news |title=War heroes honoured |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/story.php?nid=115066 |work=The Daily Star |agency=UNB |date=21 November 2009 |access-date=18 June 2015}}</ref>
*31 October to 3 November: [[Battle of Dhalai]]: Allied attack from [[Tripura]] into East Pakistan to stop Pakistani cross-border shelling.
*31 October to 3 November: [[Battle of Dhalai]]: Allied attack from [[Tripura]] into East Pakistan to stop Pakistani cross-border shelling.


====November====
====November====
*9 November: Six small ships constitute the first fleet of [[Bangladesh Navy]].
*9 November: Six small ships constitute the first fleet of [[Bangladesh Navy]].
*16 November: [[Battle of Ajmiriganj]], an 18-hour encounter between [[Mukti Bahini]] and Pakistan army. A famous freedom fighter, [[Jagatyoti Das]], is killed.
*16 November: [[Jagat Joity Das|Battle of Ajmiriganj]], an 18-hour encounter between [[Mukti Bahini]] and Pakistan army. A famous freedom fighter, [[Jagat Joity Das]], is killed.
*14 November to 4 December: The [[Defence of Kamalpur|Battle of Kamalpur]] began, where Pakistani troops defended Kamalpur for 21 days before being ordered to surrender by their superiors.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Sukhwant |year=1980 |title=India's Wars Since Independence |volume=1 |location=New Delhi |publisher=Vikas Publishing House |page=190 |isbn=0-7069-1057-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Cloughley |first=Brian |year=2006 |orig-year=First published 1999 |title=A History of the Pakistan Army: Wars and Insurrections |edition=3rd |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=179 |isbn=978-0-19-547334-6}}</ref>   
*14 November to 4 December: The [[Defence of Kamalpur|Battle of Kamalpur]] began, where Pakistani troops defended Kamalpur for 21 days before being ordered to surrender by their superiors.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Sukhwant |year=1980 |title=India's Wars Since Independence |volume=1 |location=New Delhi |publisher=Vikas Publishing House |page=190 |isbn=0-7069-1057-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Cloughley |first=Brian |year=2006 |orig-year=First published 1999 |title=A History of the Pakistan Army: Wars and Insurrections |edition=3rd |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=179 |isbn=978-0-19-547334-6}}</ref>   
*20 to 21 November: [[Battle of Garibpur]]: India attacked Pakistani forces and captured [[Boyra]] [[Salients, re-entrants and pockets|salient]] in East Pakistan
*20 to 21 November: [[Battle of Garibpur]]: India attacked Pakistani forces and captured [[Boyra]] [[Salients, re-entrants and pockets|salient]] in East Pakistan
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*4 to 5 December : [[Battle of Gazipur]] in which Indian Army and Mukti Bahini captured Gazipur
*4 to 5 December : [[Battle of Gazipur]] in which Indian Army and Mukti Bahini captured Gazipur
*5 December : [[Battle of Basantar]]; India attacks and takes over Pakistani territory in the [[Shakargarh]] Salient, opposite [[Jammu]].
*5 December : [[Battle of Basantar]]; India attacks and takes over Pakistani territory in the [[Shakargarh]] Salient, opposite [[Jammu]].
*6 December: [[Jessore|Jashore]] ([[Jessore]]) became the first district in Bangladesh to gain independence. Bhutan becomes the first country to recognise Bangladesh after India. [[Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra]] becomes Bangladesh Betar.
*6 December: [[Jessore|Jashore]] ([[Jessore]]) became the first district in Bangladesh to be liberated from Pakistani control. [[Bhutan]] becomes the first country to recognise [[Bangladesh]] followed by [[India]] . [[Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra]] becomes [[Bangladesh Betar]].
*7 to 16 December: [[Battle of Sylhet]], liberation of Jessore, Sylhet and Moulovi Bazar.
*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.
*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: India attack from [[West Bengal]] into East Pakistan. [[Chandpur District|Chandpur]] and [[Daudkandi]] liberated from Pakistan.
*9 December: [[Meghna Heli Bridge]] liberated from Pakistan
*9 December: [[Meghna Heli Bridge]] liberated from Pakistan
*10 December: Liberation of Laksham. Two Bangladeshi ships [[Mohammad Ruhul Amin|sunk mistakenly]] by an Indian air attack.
*10 December: Liberation of Laksham. Two Bangladeshi ships [[Mohammad Ruhul Amin|sunk mistakenly]] by an Indian air attack.
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*11 December: Liberation of Hilli, [[Mymensingh|Mymenshingh]], Kushtia and Noakhali. [[USS Enterprise (CVN-65)|USS ''Enterprise'']] is deployed by the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] in the [[Bay of Bengal]] to intimidate the Indian Navy.
*11 December: Liberation of Hilli, [[Mymensingh|Mymenshingh]], Kushtia and Noakhali. [[USS Enterprise (CVN-65)|USS ''Enterprise'']] is deployed by the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] in the [[Bay of Bengal]] to intimidate the Indian Navy.
*13 December: [[Soviet Navy]] deploys a group of warships to counter ''Enterprise''. The ''Enterprise'' moves towards Southeast Asia, averting a confrontation.
*13 December: [[Soviet Navy]] deploys a group of warships to counter ''Enterprise''. The ''Enterprise'' moves towards Southeast Asia, averting a confrontation.
*14 December: Selective genocide of [[1971 killing of Bengali intellectuals|Bengali nationalist intellectuals]]. Liberation of Bogra.
*13 December: [[Battle of Shiromoni|Battle of Shiromani]] began for the rest of the war
*16 December: End of the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]. [[Mitro Bahini]] takes [[Dhaka]]. Pakistan Army [[Pakistani Instrument of Surrender|surrenders]] to Mitro Bahini represented by [[Jagjit Singh Aurora]] of the Indian Army faction of the military coalition.
*14 December: Selective genocide of [[1971 killing of Bengali intellectuals|Bengali nationalist intellectuals]].  
*14 December:[[Battle of Bogra|Liberation of Bogra]].
*16 December: End of the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]. [[Mitro Bahini]] takes [[Dhaka]]. approximately 93,000 troops of Pakistan Armed Forces [[Pakistani Instrument of Surrender|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.
*22 December: The provisional government of Bangladesh arrives in Dhaka from exile.


==See also==
==See also==
 
{{Portal bar|Bangladesh|Politics}}
*[[History of Bangladesh]]
*[[History of Bangladesh]]
*[[Timeline of Bangladeshi history]]
*[[Timeline of Bangladeshi history]]
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{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


[[Category:Bangladesh Liberation War|*]]
[[Category:Military history of Bangladesh Liberation War|*]]
[[Category:Timelines of military conflicts since 1945|Bangladesh Liberation War]]
[[Category:Timelines of 20th-century military conflicts|Bangladesh Liberation War]]
[[Category:Bangladesh history-related lists|Liberation War]]

Latest revision as of 21:32, 8 February 2026


See also: Timeline of Bangladeshi history


The Bangladesh War of Independence started on 26 March 1971 and ended on 16 December 1971. Some of the major events of the war are listed in the timeline below.

Timeline[edit | edit source]

Interactive Timeline of the Bangladesh War

Before the war[edit | edit source]

Events during the War[edit | edit source]

March[edit | edit source]

  • 25 March to 26 March: Pakistan Army starts crackdown in the form of Operation Searchlight in Dhaka and the rest of the country, attacking general civilians, political activists, students, and Bengali members of armed forces and police.[7]
  • 26 March: At 1:15 am, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is arrested at his home by a Pakistani commando company.[8][9][10][11] The Independence of Bangladesh is declared by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman a few minutes before he was arrested by the Pakistan army.
  • 27 March: Independence of Bangladesh is again declared by Maj. Ziaur Rahman on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,[12][13] Santahar massacre is committed by the Mukti Bahini, thousands of non-Bengalis are attacked by Mukti Bahini members.[14]
  • 27 March: Bangladesh Forces and Partisans massacred Pakistani Soldiers at Mymensingh Cantonment.
  • 31 March: Battle of Kushtia, Kushtia resistance begins.

April[edit | edit source]

May[edit | edit source]

June[edit | edit source]

July[edit | edit source]

  • 11–17 July: Sector Commanders Conference in 1971.

August[edit | edit source]

September[edit | edit source]

October[edit | edit source]

  • 13 October: Dhaka guerrillas kill Abdul Monem Khan, governor of East Pakistan.
  • 28 October to 3 November: Battle of Dhalai in which 3 companies (215 soldiers) of the Jat Regiment (2 JAT) of Indian Army defeated a battalion (800 soldiers) of 30th Frontier Force Rifles (30 FFR) of Pakistan Army.[19][20][21] Hamidur Rahman of Mukti Bahini was posthumously awarded the Bir Sreshtho, the highest recognition of bravery in Bangladesh.[22]
  • 31 October to 3 November: Battle of Dhalai: Allied attack from Tripura into East Pakistan to stop Pakistani cross-border shelling.

November[edit | edit source]

December[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "March 1, 1971". Liberation War Museum. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  2. ↑ Ahmed, Helal Uddin (2012). "Seventh March Address". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  3. ↑ "Refusal to unload MV Swat leads to revolt of Bengali soldiers -". The Daily Observer. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  4. ↑ "March 16, 1971: Bangabandhu meets Yahya". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  5. ↑ "March 19, 1971". Liberation War Museum. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  6. ↑ "March 24, 1971". Liberation War Museum. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  7. ↑ Salik, Siddiq (1978) [First published 1977]. Witness to Surrender. Oxford University Press. p. 90. ISBN 0-19-577257-1.
  8. ↑ Brig.Zahir Alam Khan memoir "The Way it Was"
  9. ↑ Gupta, Jyoti Sen (1974). History of freedom movement in Bangladesh, 1943–1973. Naya Prokash. p. 278. OCLC 891183528. It was past midnight ... the Pakistani Major looked up at Begum Mujib and said: 'Sorry, we are taking him away'.
  10. ↑ Khan, Fazal Muqueem (1973). Pakistan's Crisis in Leadership. National Book Foundation. p. 72. OCLC 976643179. Sheikh Mujib was arrested from his residence in Dhan Mandi at 0130 hours
  11. ↑ Matinuddin, Kamal (1994). Tragedy of errors: East Pakistan crisis, 1968–1971. Wajidalis. p. 247. ISBN 978-969-8031-19-0. Within 15 minutes of [1 a.m.] ... Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rahman was arrested from his Dhonmandi residence ... The commando company
  12. ↑ Matinuddin, Kamal (1994). Tragedy of errors: East Pakistan crisis, 1968–1971. Wajidalis. p. 255. ISBN 978-969-8031-19-0.
  13. ↑ Safiullah, K M (1989). Bangladesh at War. Academic Publishers. p. 45. ISBN 9789840801091. OCLC 24300969.
  14. ↑ Kamrani, Farrukh (16 December 2017). "Fall of Dhaka: How Mukti Bahini 'cleansed' Santahar town of non-Bengalis, An account of methodical massacre of around twenty thousand men, women and children". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  15. ↑ [1] Archived November 22, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  16. ↑ "Locals still have nightmare about supreme sacrifices of Lt. Azim, 200 others". The New Nation. 8 May 2009.
  17. ↑ Islam, Rafiqul (1981). A Tale of Millions. Bangladesh Books International. p. 211. OCLC 499426590.
  18. ↑ Jahanara Imam, Ekatturer Dinguli
  19. ↑ Sinh, Ramdhir (2013). A Talent for War: The Military Biography of Lt Gen Sagat Singh. New Delhi: Vij Books India Private Limited. ISBN 978-9382573739.
  20. ↑ "Battle of Dhalai". Defence Journal. December 1998. pp. 30–36. Archived from the original on 7 October 1999.
  21. ↑ "Notable battles in the 11 Sectors". Dhaka Tribune. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  22. ↑ "War heroes honoured". The Daily Star. UNB. 21 November 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  23. ↑ Singh, Sukhwant (1980). India's Wars Since Independence. Vol. 1. New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House. p. 190. ISBN 0-7069-1057-5.
  24. ↑ Cloughley, Brian (2006) [First published 1999]. A History of the Pakistan Army: Wars and Insurrections (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 179. ISBN 978-0-19-547334-6.
  25. ↑ মুক্তিযুদ্ধে বিমান [Airplanes of liberation war]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 25 December 2009.
  26. ↑ "India-Pakistan 1971 war: 13 days that shook the subcontinent". The Indian Express. 2 January 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
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