Bangladesh is remembering martyrs of March 25 massacre on Genocide Day

The brutality of Operation Searchlight became the spark for the Bengali nation's struggle for freedom, culminating in the birth of an independent and sovereign Bangladesh

Bangladesh is commemorating the martyrs of the genocide committed by the Pakistani forces on the night of Mar 25, 1971, to crush the freedom movement of the Bengali people.

That night, under Operation Searchlight, the Pakistani forces carried out mass killings in Dhaka. However, instead of breaking their spirit, the atrocity ignited the Bengali nation’s fight for liberation. After nine months of struggle, Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign state on the world map.

On Tuesday, the nation will honour the martyrs of that dark night through various programmes to mark what has now come to be recognised as Genocide Day.

For 23 years, Bengalis had endured political and economic oppression. When their demand for freedom grew stronger, the Pakistani army launched a ruthless crackdown. Codenamed "Operation Searchlight", their objective was to eliminate key political figures, intellectuals, and activists who were leading the movement.

They planned to arrest and kill Awami League leaders, student activists, and Bengali intellectuals, disarm Bengali soldiers, paramilitary forces, and police officers, and seize control of important infrastructure such as armouries, radio stations, and communication centres.

Above all, they sought to stamp out the non-cooperation movement led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and reassert West Pakistani rule over East Pakistan.

While political negotiations were ongoing between Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto after the national elections, the Pakistani military had already begun planning the operation in February. By Mar 17, the strategy was finalised. The assault on Dhaka was scheduled to begin at 1:00am on Mar 25, led by Maj Gen Rao Farman Ali of the Pakistani Army’s 57th Division. Meanwhile, Maj Gen Khadim Raja of the 14th Division was tasked with overseeing operations in other parts of the country.

Around 10:00pm, a heavily armed military convoy set out from Dhaka Cantonment towards the city. As the troops advanced, they encountered their first resistance at Farmgate, where people had blocked the roads using tree trunks, broken-down vehicles, and steamrollers.

The air rang with cries of "Joy Bangla" as protesters stood their ground in defiance. But the Pakistani forces responded with gunfire, shattering the resistance and pushing forward. By 10:30pm, nearly 80 armoured vehicles had positioned themselves in full battle formation at both ends of the Racecourse Ground.

By 11:20pm, the Pakistani army began surrounding the Rajarbagh Police Lines. Soon after, they launched their assault, and emergency radio messages carried news of the attack to nearby districts and subdivisions. At 11:30pm, under the command of Col Taj from the 32nd Punjab Regiment, Pakistani forces stormed Rajarbagh, only to be met with fierce resistance from Bengali police officers who, despite being outnumbered and outgunned, fought back bravely.

At the same time, in a coordinated attack, the 22nd Baloch Regiment launched an assault on the East Pakistan Rifles (EPR) headquarters in Pilkhana. Though poorly equipped, the Bengali soldiers inside the barracks took up arms and fought against overwhelming odds.

As the night progressed, the brutality of the attack escalated. Heavy assaults targeted Dhaka University, Shankhari Bazaar, and other parts of the city. With power lines deliberately cut, darkness swallowed Dhaka as gunfire, explosions, and the relentless roar of tanks filled the air. The Pakistani forces showed no mercy. They stormed student dormitories, faculty residences, and slum areas, massacring everyone in their path.

Shortly after 1:00am, the Pakistani army, accompanied by tanks and armoured vehicles, stormed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence in Dhanmondi and arrested him. Before being taken into custody in the early hours of Mar 26, he made a final proclamation declaring Bangladesh’s independence.

What followed was a brutal nine-month war, during which three million people lost their lives, 250,000 women were subjected to horrific violence, and an entire nation made immense sacrifices. At last, on Dec 16, Bangladesh achieved victory, emerging as an independent and sovereign state on the world map.

On Mar 30, 1971, journalist Simon Dring wrote in The Daily Telegraph: “In the name of God and a united Pakistan. Dhaka is today a crushed and frightened city. After 24 hours of ruthless, coldblooded shelling by the Pakistan army, as many as 7,000 people are dead, large areas have been leveled and East Pakistan's fight for independence has been brutally put to an end.”

The Pakistani forces spared no one -- not even the female students at Rokeya Hall. Professors at Dhaka University were also targeted, with nine faculty members, including Dr Govinda Chandra Dev, Jyotirmoy Guhathakurta, Professor Santosh Chandra Bhattacharya, and Dr Moniruzzaman, mercilessly killed.

Since 2017, Bangladesh has officially observed Mar 25 as Genocide Day, while the government has continued efforts to secure international recognition of the massacre.

This year, however, Genocide Day arrives at a politically turbulent time. The Awami League, the party that led the Liberation War, has been removed from power and is no longer active in mainstream politics.

A mass uprising of students and the general public led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s 15-and-a-half-year rule. In her absence, the country is now governed by an interim administration under Muhammad Yunus. After losing power, Hasina fled to India on Aug 5, where she remains, while most Awami League leaders and activists have retreated from the political scene.

Legal proceedings have begun against Hasina and her party leaders, who stand accused of committing “genocide” against protesters during the July-August uprising. Meanwhile, the Yunus government has been promoting a vision of a new Bangladesh, declaring an end to Hasina’s “autocratic rule”.

In his Genocide Day address, Chief Advisor Yunus said: “On this Genocide Day, let us pledge to build a strong, peaceful, and democratic new Bangladesh.”

Reflecting on that fateful night and the martyrs of the Liberation War, he added: “The Bangladesh we fought for after independence was not meant to fall under the tyranny that later took hold. Through the brave uprising of students and the public in July, we have broken free from dictatorship. Now, the interim government is committed to upholding the spirit of the great Liberation War and the July Uprising, striving to establish a just society and the rule of law.”

ONE-MINUTE BLACKOUT

Bangladesh will observe a symbolic blackout on Tuesday night to remember the brutal massacre carried out by the Pakistani forces.

The nationwide blackout will take place from 10:30pm to 10:31pm, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs announced. Only essential installations and emergency facilities will remain unaffected.

To mark the occasion, all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private buildings are strictly prohibited from displaying any decorative lighting.

Commemorative exhibitions featuring rare photographs and documentaries on the genocide will be held in city corporations across the country, including Dhaka. Special programmes will also be broadcast on Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar.

In honour of those who lost their lives that night, special prayers will be offered in mosques after Zuhr prayers, or at a suitable time, while other places of worship will hold services in remembrance of the victims.

Dhaka University has also arranged various programmes to observe Genocide Day with due solemnity.

According to a press release, the university will hold a candlelight vigil, a documentary screening, and a discussion session at Smriti Chirantan Square at 7:15pm.

Later, at 8:15pm, candles will be lit, and respects will be paid at the mass grave in Jagannath Hall.

At 10:30pm, a one-minute blackout will be observed across the university, except for emergency facilities.

After Zuhr prayers on Tuesday, a special dua will also be offered at the university’s central mosque for the martyrs, while other religious institutions will hold prayer services in their memory.