The Bangladesh Liberation War, which began in March 1971, was a response to the political and linguistic discrimination faced by Bengalis in East Pakistan by the West Pakistani government. Tensions escalated into armed conflict when the Pakistani Army launched Operation Searchlight in March, aiming to suppress the independence movement. An estimated 300,000 people were killed, and millions were displaced, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis. India intervened militarily in December 1971 following a massive influx of refugees fleeing the violence. The Indian Armed Forces, in conjunction with the Mukti Bahini (Bangladeshi freedom fighters), launched a coordinated offensive against Pakistani forces in East Pakistan.

On December 16, 1971, the Pakistani Eastern Command, led by Lieutenant General A. A. K. Niazi, surrendered to Indian and Bangladeshi forces in Dhaka, effectively ending the war. This momentous occasion resulted in the liberation of Bangladesh and the creation of a new nation, which the world recognized shortly after. The surrender is often remembered as a significant military victory for India and the culmination of the long struggle for self-determination by the Bengali people.

The aftermath of the war reshaped the geopolitical landscape of South Asia, leading to strained relations between India and Pakistan. It also highlighted issues surrounding national identity, statehood, and the rights of ethnic groups within larger political frameworks. The success of the Bangladesh Liberation War inspired other independence movements around the world and was a significant moment in post-colonial history.