Harish added, “A country that bombs its own citizens and commits inhuman crimes such as rapes of 400,000 women has no right to lecture others. Pakistan spreads lies and exaggerations to distract and mislead the world.”
He made this statement when a Pakistani official alleged that Kashmiri women have been facing sexual violence for decades. India once again reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir has been, is, and will always remain an integral part of India.
Operation Searchlight was a military campaign by the Pakistan Army, launched on the night of 25 March 1971. Its aim was to suppress the Bengali population’s movement in East Pakistan (today’s Bangladesh).
In 1970, general elections were held in Pakistan. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s party, the Awami League, won a landslide victory. This victory raised hopes among the people of East Pakistan for independence. However, the military government of West Pakistan, led by General Yahya Khan, refused to transfer power. Protests and movements began in East Pakistan in response.
On the night of 25 March 1971, the Pakistani Army attacked Dhaka University, newspaper offices, hostels, and civilian areas. The campaign involved widespread violence, killings, rapes, and human rights violations. It is estimated that millions were killed and around 10 million people became refugees in India.
Following this atrocity, the Bengali people launched their war of independence. Considering the humanitarian crisis and refugee situation, India intervened on 16 December 1971. After a 13-day war, Pakistan surrendered on 16 December 1971, and the new country of Bangladesh was formed.
Know about Operation Searchlight
Pakistani minister’s threat
A day earlier, Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif had threatened India. He said, “If war happens this time, India will be buried under the debris of its fighter planes.”
Earlier, the Pakistan Army said on Saturday night that if there is a war between the two countries now, there will be devastation. If a new era of hostility begins, Pakistan will not back down. “We will respond without any hesitation,” it said.
Pakistan army said
The Pakistan Army’s media wing, ISPR, issued an official statement saying that irresponsible remarks by the Indian defence minister and army officials are attempts to promote war.
Targeting Indian Army chief Upendra Dwivedi, the Pakistan Army said: “As far as talk of erasing Pakistan from the map is concerned, India should know that if such circumstances arise, both countries will be wiped out.”
In fact, on Friday Upendra Dwivedi had said: “Pakistan will have to think whether it wants to remain on the map or not. If it wants to keep its place, it must stop providing sanctuary to terrorism.”
Pakistan army dropped bombs without warning
In Tirah Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, the Pakistan Army dropped bombs on 22 September in Waziristan’s Tirah Valley without issuing any warning. The attack claimed the lives of 30 people.
According to local media reports, Pakistan’s Air Force was attempting to target the terrorist organization Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) through these strikes. However, instead of terrorists, most of the casualties were civilians.
Last week as well, India had strongly criticised Pakistan. At a Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva, Indian official K.S. Mohammed Hussain said that Pakistan is one of the countries with the worst human rights record in the world.
He stated, “A country that persecutes religious and ethnic minorities at home cannot lecture others on human rights. Pakistan’s true face is now exposed to the world.”
'The world clearly understands Pakistan’s false propaganda,'
Harish said, "Pakistan is the same country that launched Operation Searchlight in 1971 and authorised its army to carry out a planned campaign of mass killings and sexual violence against 400,000 women."
During Operation Searchlight in 1971, the Pakistani army brutally suppressed people in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), killing 3 million and committing widespread sexual violence against women.
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