‘Premeditated massacre’: Bangladesh marks genocide day, slams Pakistan over 1971

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tariq Rehman on Wednesday condemned the atrocities committed by the Pakistani military during Operation Searchlight on March 25, 1971. In a letter shared online to mark Genocide Day, he said the Pakistani army carried out “one of the most heinous genocides in history” against the defenseless people of Bangladesh in the name of Operation Searchlight.“Rahman Calling March 25 one of the most “shameful and cruel days”, adding that it was “a pre-planned massacre”.He said the Pakistani army fired indiscriminately at Dhaka University teachers and students, including innocent civilians at the Pil Khanna and Rajar Bagh cordons.Rahman said the Eighth East Bengal Regiment in Chittagong declared “We Revolt” and formally launched armed resistance against the genocide, beginning a nine-month armed liberation war.The attack by the Pakistani army followed the results of Pakistan’s 1971 general election, which was won by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Shortly after the results were announced, the Pakistani army arrested him and launched a massive campaign of violence against the Bengali-speaking population in the area.Bangladesh will celebrate its 56th Independence Day on Thursday. The country concluded elections earlier this year after a long period of violence and protests led to the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina’s government. Tarique Rahman’s BNP won February’s election in a landslide.