Indomitable March: Indira pledges support for Bangladesh
On March 31, 1971, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi moved a resolution in parliament strongly criticising the military action in Bangladesh.
30 March 2024, 18:00 PM
Indomitable March: The battle of Kushtia
At 4:00am on March 30, 1971, Bangladeshi forces, comprising East Pakistan Rifles (EPR), police and civilians under the leadership of Abu Osman Chowdhury, then a major and commander of the fourth wing of EPR, attacked the Pakistan occupation army in Kushtia from three sides.
29 March 2024, 18:00 PM
Indomitable March: Bangabandhu flown to Karachi
In the evening, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was flown via helicopter from the cantonment, where he was detained, to the Tejgaon Airport. Afterwards, he was flown to Karachi by a special military aircraft.
28 March 2024, 18:00 PM
Indomitable March: Pak atrocity continues
On March 28, 1971, American Consul General in Dhaka, Archer K Blood, sent a telegram to Islamabad and Washington captioned “selective genocide”. He reported that they were “mute and horrified by a reign of terror by the Pakistan military” in East Pakistan. Pointing towards various pieces of evidence, Blood suggested that Awami League supporters and Hindus were being systematically targeted by the martial law administrators.
27 March 2024, 18:00 PM
Indomitable March: Archer K blood’s situation report
American Consul General Archer K Blood in a situation report submitted on March 27, 1971, wrote that according to numerous accounts, including eye witness reports, the Pak military crackdown on Bangalee nationalists has been carried out throughout Dacca swiftly, efficiently (despite heavy resistance from some quarters, including pro-Awami League police and East Pak Rifles), and often with ruthless brutality.
26 March 2024, 18:00 PM
Indomitable March: The gates of hell cast open
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in a press statement issued today, called for a general strike throughout Bangladesh on March 27 against the army’s action in certain places in East Pakistan including Saidpur, Rangpur and Joydevpur.
24 March 2024, 18:00 PM
Indomitable March: Final meeting
There was a final meeting between Awami League’s team and Yahya’s advisers on March 24, 1971, at 6:00pm.
23 March 2024, 18:00 PM
Indomitable March: ‘Let us hope for best and remain prepared for worst’
The representatives of president Yahya Khan and an Awami League team met twice today.
22 March 2024, 18:00 PM
Mujibnagar government sworn in
The independence of Bangladesh was formally proclaimed today at Baidyanathtala, Meherpur.
16 April 2021, 18:00 PM
‘Bullets or Bread?’
The swearing-in of the cabinet members of the Bangladesh government-in-exile scheduled to take place on April 15, 1971 was postponed owing to the eruption of fighting in Kushtia.
15 April 2021, 18:00 PM
Bangladesh cabinet approves 7-point plan
The first cabinet meeting of the provincial government of Bangladesh today laid down a seven-point programme for smooth functioning of the administration as far as practicable under the prevailing situation.
13 April 2021, 18:00 PM
War cabinet formed
A six-member war cabinet headed by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was formed today.
12 April 2021, 18:00 PM
China backs Pakistan and warns India
The Martial Law Authority in Dhaka announced today that government troops had destroyed all “subversive elements” in Chandpur and it promised that the lives and property of “minorities and other people” in the eastern wing of the country would be protected.
11 April 2021, 18:00 PM
Tajuddin seeks arms support
The Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendro today broadcast a speech by the prime minister of the newly formed government-in-exile Tajuddin Ahmad.
10 April 2021, 18:00 PM
Independence proclaimed
The Mujibnagar Government was formed today to conduct the Bangladesh War of Liberation. The official announcement declaring independence of Bangladesh,
9 April 2021, 18:00 PM
Tikka Khan sworn in as governor
The Martial Law Administrator Lieutenant General Tikka Khan was sworn in as governor of East Pakistan today. Earlier, after his appointment as both the governor and martial law administrator in East Pakistan on March 8, 1971,
8 April 2021, 18:00 PM
Pakistan accuses India in UN
Bangladesh independence forces said today they had blown up a rail bridge linking the army held cities of Dhaka and Chittagong, destroyed an airfield near Comilla and captured an army depot holding nine tonnes of arms and ammunition.
7 April 2021, 18:00 PM
US asks for ‘peaceful accommodation’
Today, a small team of Bangalee members of EPR put up a brave fight against Pakistan EPR forces in Nazirhat, Chattogram and captured 18 of them as prisoners.
6 April 2021, 18:00 PM
Dangerous dissent
Two Bangalee diplomats -- Second Secretary KM Shehabuddin and Amjadul Huq, assistant press attaché at the High Commission of Pakistan in New Delhi -- today announced their decision to defect from Pakistan and pledged allegiance to Bangladesh at a press conference in New Delhi.
5 April 2021, 18:00 PM
Chuadanga declared provisional capital
New York Times reported today that Chuadanga had been designated the provisional capital of independent Bangladesh.
4 April 2021, 18:00 PM
Tajuddin calls on Indira
On April 4, 1971, Tajuddin Ahmad called on Indian PM Indira Gandhi at the office in her residence. The conversation started with Indira’s question, “How is Sheikh Mujib? Is he alright?”
3 April 2021, 18:00 PM
‘The smell of death is still everywhere’
Some of the 102 Britons who were evacuated to Singapore by air yesterday from East Pakistan revealed today the fighting and carnage they had seen.
2 April 2021, 18:00 PM
USSR urges Yahya to stop bloodshed
On April 2, 1971, N. V. Podgorny, the president of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, sent a message to Pakistan President Yahya Khan expressing concern at the repression let loose against the people of Bangladesh by the Pakistani army:
1 April 2021, 18:00 PM
UN CHIEF REFUSES RELIEF REQUEST
The UN Secretary General U Thant declined to request the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) to send relief to the victims of Pakistan military massacre in Bangladesh.
31 March 2021, 18:00 PM
Kushtia reclaimed
At 4:00am on March 30, 1971, Bangladeshi forces, comprising East Pakistan Rifles (EPR), police and civilians under the leadership of Abu Osman Chowdhury,
30 March 2021, 18:00 PM
Bangabandhu taken to Karachi
In the evening, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was flown via helicopter from the cantonment, where he was detained, to the Tejgaon Airport. Afterwards, he was flown to Karachi by a special military aircraft.
28 March 2021, 18:00 PM
‘Selective genocide’ continues
In Dampara Police Lines, Chittagong, Bangalee police personnel put up a brave resistance. But they could not hold on for long as they were not trained in the art of warfare. They suffered heavy casualties and abandoned their post when they were about to be overrun by the Pakistan army.
27 March 2021, 18:00 PM
Zia makes radio announcement
As Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared the independence of Bangladesh, resistance began in Chattogram city and many other areas. Intense fighting broke out between the Pakistan military and the freedom fighters.
26 March 2021, 18:00 PM