1971 Bangladesh genocide

The 1971 Bangladesh genocide refers to the systematic mass killings and atrocities committed by the Pakistan Army and allied militias during the Bangladesh Liberation War, which ultimately led to the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan. The atrocities began on March 25, 1971, with Operation Searchlight, a military operation aimed at suppressing the Bengali nationalist movement. Approximately 300,000 to 3,000,000 people are estimated to have been killed, along with widespread sexual violence and the displacement of millions. The genocide targeted Bengali civilians, particularly intellectuals, students, and minority communities, resulting in enduring trauma and human rights violations. The international community's response was largely limited, and the genocide remains a significant historical event in the context of South Asia.