Forms and nature of operation searchlight: Cumilla perspective

Abstract

Under the direction of Pakistani General Yahya Khan, "Operation Searchlight" was initiated against defence less and unarmed Bengalis on March 25, 1971. They started carrying out mass murders and devastation around 11:00 p.m. in residential neighbourhoods including Dhaka University's halls, Rajarbagh Police Headquarters, the head office of East Pakistan Rifles (EPR), and other locations throughout the city. As per the plan, the cantonments outside of Dhaka launched a simultaneous onslaught. Cumilla district is one of the districts with a cantonment at the time. Because of this, Cumilla also adopted the Operation Searchlight blueprint. The form and nature of Operation Searchlight's execution by the Pakistani occupying forces in Cumilla are covered in the article.