Timeline of Bangladesh Liberation War

The Bangladesh Liberation War
Bangladesh Liberation War
The Bangladesh Liberation War was an armed conflict pitting East Pakistan and India against West Pakistan. The war resulted in the secession of East Pakistan, which became the independent nation of Bangladesh....

started on March 26, 1971 and ended on December 16, 1971. Some of the major events of the war are listed in the timeline

Chronology

Chronology is the science of arranging events in their order of occurrence in time, such as the use of a timeline or sequence of events. It is also "the determination of the actual temporal sequence of past events".Chronology is part of periodization...

below.

Before the war

March 1: General Yahya Khan
Yahya Khan
General Agha Mohammad Yahya Khan Qizilbash, H.Pk, HJ, S.Pk, psc was the third President of Pakistan from 1969 to 1971, following the resignation of Ayub Khan...

calls off the session of National Council to be held on March 3 in a radio address.
March 7: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a Bengali nationalist politician and the founder of Bangladesh. He headed the Awami League, served as the first President of Bangladesh and later became its Prime Minister. He headed the Awami League, served as the first President of Bangladesh and later became its...

- leader of Awami League party that had just won a landslide victory in East Pakistan in the Federal Elections - announces to a jubilant crowd at the Dhaka Race Course ground, "The struggle this time is the struggle for our emancipation! The struggle this time is the struggle for independence!".
March 9: Workers of Chittagong port refuse to unload weapons from the ship 'Swat'.
March 10: Expatriate Bengali students demonstrate in front of the United Nations Headquarters
United Nations headquarters
The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River...

and calls for UN intervention to put an end to violence on Bengali people.
March 16: Yahya Khan starts negotiation with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
March 19: Nearly 50 people die as Pakistan Army opens fire on demonstrators at Jaydevpur.
March 24: Pakistan Army opens fire on Bengali demonstrators in Syedpur, Rangpur and Chittagong. More than a thousand people are killed.

March

March 25: Pakistan Army starts Operation Searchlight
Operation Searchlight
Operation Searchlight was a planned military operation carried out by the Pakistan Army to curb the Bengali nationalist movement in the erstwhile East Pakistan in March 1971. Ordered by the central government in West Pakistan, this was seen as the sequel to "Operation Blitz" which had been...

in Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...

and rest of the country, attacking political activists, students, and Bengali members of armed forces and police
March 26: Independence of Bangladesh is declared by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman shortly before his arrest. This is Bangladesh's official Independence Day.
March 31: Kushtia resistance begins.

April

April 2: Jinjira massacre.
April 6: The Blood Telegram
Archer Blood
Archer Kent Blood was an American diplomat in Bangladesh. He served as the last American Consul General to Dhaka, East Pakistan. He is famous for sending the strongly worded Blood telegram protesting against the atrocities committed in the Bangladesh Liberation War.-Biography:Archer Blood was...
April 11: Radio address by Tajuddin Ahmad
Tajuddin Ahmad
Tajuddin Ahmad was a Bangladeshi politician and statesman who served as the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh...

, the Prime Minister.
April 10: A provisional Bangladesh government-in-exile is formed.
April 12: M. A. G. Osmani
M. A. G. Osmani
General Muhammad Ataul Ghani Osmany, popularly referred to as Bangabir General M.A.G. Osmany was the Commander-in-Chief of Bangladesh Forces during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971...

takes up the command of Bangladesh Armed Forces.
April 17: A provisional government-in-exile took oath in Boiddonathtola (now called Mujibnagar
Mujibnagar
Also See: Provisional Government of the People's Republic of BangladeshMujibnagar , formerly known as Baidyanathtala is a town in the Meherpur District of Bangladesh...

) in Meherpur District
Meherpur District
Meherpur is a district in South-western Bangladesh which is also the smallest district of Bangladesh. It is a part of the Khulna Division. Before 1984, it was a part of Kushtia district. Meherpur is a historical district in Bangladesh because of the fact that the Proclamation of Independence was...
April 18: Battle of Daruin, Comilla and Battle of Rangamati-Mahalchari waterway
Munshi Abdur Rouf
Munshi Abdur Rouf was a Lance Nayek in East Pakistan Rifles during the Bangladesh Liberation War. He enrolled in the East Bengal Regiment on 8 May 1963, and was attached with a regular infantry unit during War of Liberation...

, Chittagong Hill Tracts.
April 24: Formation of Bangladesh Action Committee at Coventry, UK by non-resident Bangladeshis.
April 28: Tajuddin pleas for arms aid to neighbors.

May

May 5: Gopalpur massacre
Gopalpur massacre
Gopalpur Massacre was a massacre committed by Pakistan army during Bangladesh liberation war of 1971. The killing took place at Gopalpur municipality of Lalpur Upazila, Natore on 5 May 1971...

.
May 15: Indian army starts aiding Mukti Bahini
Mukti Bahini
Mukti Bahini , also termed as the "Freedom Fighters" or FFs, collectively refers to the armed organizations who fought against the Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War. It was dynamically formed by Bengali regulars and civilians after the proclamation of Bangladesh's independence on...

.
May 20:The Chuknagar massacre takes place at Khulna
Khulna
Khulna is the third largest city in Bangladesh. It is located on the banks of the Rupsha and Bhairab rivers in Khulna District. It is the divisional headquarters of Khulna Division and a major industrial and commercial center. It has a seaport named Mongla on its outskirts, 38 km from Khulna...

where the Pakistan army kills nearly 10 thousand people
May 24: Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra
Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra
Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra was a radio broadcasting centre in the Indian city of Kolkata during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. This station played a vital role in increasing mental state of Bangladeshis during the war. In 1971, radio was the only media reaching to the far ends of...

finds home in Kolkata.

August

August 1: The Concert for Bangladesh
The Concert for Bangladesh
The Concert for Bangladesh was the name for two benefit concerts organised by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar, held at noon and at 7 PM on August 1, 1971, playing to a total of 40,000 people at Madison Square Garden in New York City...

in Madison Square Garden, New York by George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...

and friends.
August 16: Operation Jackpot
Operation Jackpot
For the 1983–1986 South Carolina drug investigation see Operation Jackpot Operation Jackpot was the codename assigned to several different operations during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. The original "Operation Jackpot" was the logistical and training operation set up under the Indian Army...

, Bangladesh naval commando operation.
August 20: Flight Lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...

Matiur Rahman (military pilot)
Matiur Rahman (military pilot)
Matiur Rahman or M. Matiur Rahman was a Flight Lieutenant in the Pakistan Air Force when the Liberation War broke out. His date of birth is sometimes given as 29 November 1941....

's attempt to defect by hijacking a fighter.
August 30: Pakistan Army crackdown on Dhaka guerrillas.

September

September 5: Battle of Goahati
Nur Mohammad Sheikh
Nur Mohammad Sheikh was a Lance Nayek in East Pakistan Rifles during the Liberation War....

, Jessore.
September 28: Bangladesh Air Force
Bangladesh Air Force
The Bangladesh Air Force , is the air arm of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. Bangladesh Air Force currently employs more than 22,000 personnel including 600+ Pilots.-History:...

starts functioning.

October

October 13: Dhaka guerrillas kill Abdul Monem Khan, governor of East Pakistan.
October 28: Battle of Dhalai Outpost
Hamidur Rahman
Hamidur Rahman , , better known as Shaheed Sepoy Hamidur Rahman, was a Sepoy in Bangladesh Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War. Hamidur Rahman was killed on October 28, 1971 at Dhalai, Sylhet during an attempt to capture the Pakistani Army's position...

, Srimongol.
October 31 to November 3: Battle of Dhalai
Battle of Dhalai
The Battle of Dhalai was a battle in the Bangladesh Liberation War. It was an Indian attack from Tripura into East Pakistan to stop Pakistani cross-border shelling.It ended in a major Indian victory....

: Indian attack from Tripura
Tripura
Tripura is a state in North-East India, with an area of . It is the third smallest state of India, according to area. Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on the north, south, and west. The Indian states of Assam and Mizoram lie to the east. The capital is Agartala and the main languages spoken are...

into East Pakistan to stop Pakistani cross-border shelling.

November

November 9: Six small ships constitute the first fleet of Bangladesh Navy
Bangladesh Navy
The Bangladesh Navy is the naval arm of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. At present the navy is mostly limited to coastal patrolling, however it is implementing an ambitious procurement and expansion program to ensure the security of Bangladesh's maritime boundary...

.
November 16: Battle of Ajmiriganj, an 18 hour encounter between MB and Pakistan army. A famous freedom fighter, Jagatyoti Das, is martyred.
November 20 to November 21: Battle of Garibpur
Battle of Garibpur
The Battle of Garibpur fought on 20–21 November 1971 was one of the first engagements of between Indian and Pakistani troops during the Bangladesh Liberation War prior to the initiation of hostilities on 3 December 1971...

: Indian attack in Boyra salient
Salients, re-entrants and pockets
A salient is a battlefield feature that projects into enemy territory. The salient is surrounded by the enemy on three sides, making the troops occupying the salient vulnerable. The enemy's line facing a salient is referred to as a re-entrant...

in East Pakistan
November 21: Mitro Bahini
Mitro Bahini Order of Battle December 1971
The Indian Army had no standby force ready in 1971 with the specific task of attacking East Pakistan, one of the many reasons why India did not immediately intervene after Pakistan launched Operation Searchlight in March 1971...

, the joint force of Bngladesh and Indian army is formed.
November 22 to December 13, and sporadic fighting to December 16: Battle of Hilli
Battle of Hilli
The Battle of Hilli or the Battle of Bogra was a major battle fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation War. It is generally regarded as the most pitched battle that took place in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh...

: Indian attack on Bogra
Bogra
Bogra is a town, and one of the oldest towns in northern Bangladesh. It is a centre of commerce and trade within the Bogra District and located under the Rajshahi Division. Bogra is sometimes described as the nerve centre of Northern Bangladesh. Amongst many notable activities, it has been hosting...

in East Pakistan.

December (Indo-Pakistan War)

December 3: Bangladesh Air Force
Bangladesh Air Force
The Bangladesh Air Force , is the air arm of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. Bangladesh Air Force currently employs more than 22,000 personnel including 600+ Pilots.-History:...

destroys Pakistani oil depots.. Pakistani air attacks on India result in India declaring war on Pakistan.
December 4 : Battle of Longewala: Indians stop a Pakistani invasion directed at Jaisalmer.
December 5 : Battle of Basantar: Indians attack and take over Pakistani territory opposite Jammu.
December 6: India becomes the first country to recognize Bangladesh. Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra
Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra
Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra was a radio broadcasting centre in the Indian city of Kolkata during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. This station played a vital role in increasing mental state of Bangladeshis during the war. In 1971, radio was the only media reaching to the far ends of...

becomes Bangladesh Betar.
December 7: Liberation of Jessore, Sylhet and Moulovi Bazar.
December 8: Operation Python
Operation Python
Operation Python, a follow up to Operation Trident, was a code name of a naval attack launched on West Pakistan's port city of Karachi by the Indian Navy during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971...

: Indian naval attack on Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
December 9: Battle of Kushtia
Battle of Kushtia
The battle of Kushtia can mean two incidents, both in what is now Bangladesh:-*A battle on 19 April 1971 between East Bengali rebels and Pakistani forces. See http://www.time.com/time/archive/printout/0,23657,905021,00.html ....

: Indian attack from West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...

into East Pakistan.

Chandpur and Daudkandi liberated.

December 10: Liberation of Laksham. Two Bangladeshi ships sunk mistakenly
Mohammad Ruhul Amin
Ruhul Amin , better known as Shaheed Mohammad Ruhul Amin, was an engineroom artificer in the Bangladesh Navy who was posthumously awarded the nation's highest bravery award for his service during the Liberation War...

by Indian air attack.
December 11: Liberation of Hilli, Mymenshingh, Kushtia and Noakhali. USS Enterprise
USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
USS Enterprise , formerly CVA-65, is the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the eighth US naval vessel to bear the name. Like her predecessor of World War II fame, she is nicknamed the "Big E". At , she is the longest naval vessel in the world...

is deployed by the USA in the Bay of Bengal
Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal , the largest bay in the world, forms the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean. It resembles a triangle in shape, and is bordered mostly by the Eastern Coast of India, southern coast of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to the west and Burma and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the...

to intimidate Indian Navy.
December 13: Soviet Navy
Soviet Navy
The Soviet Navy was the naval arm of the Soviet Armed Forces. Often referred to as the Red Fleet, the Soviet Navy would have played an instrumental role in a Warsaw Pact war with NATO, where it would have attempted to prevent naval convoys from bringing reinforcements across the Atlantic Ocean...

deploys a group of ships to counter USS Enterprise.
December 14: Selective genocide of nationalist intellectuals. Liberation of Bogra.
December 16: Pakistan Army surrenders to Mitro Bahini
Mitro Bahini
Mitro Bahini was the alliance of the Indian Army and the then-East Pakistani Mukti Bahini that engaged the Pakistani forces in December 1971 during the Bangladesh Liberation War. The alliance provided the final blow to the already weakened Pakistan Army which surrendered thirteen days after the...

represented by Jagjit Singh Aurora
Jagjit Singh Aurora
Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora was the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971...

of the Indian Army faction of the military coalition.

Freedom of Bangladeshi people.

December 22: The provisional government of Bangladesh arrives in Dhaka from exile.