India: India on Friday said Pakistan remains in denial over the atrocities it committed during ‘Operation Searchlight’ in 1971, including the systematic and targeted killing of millions of innocent Bangladeshi people and widespread sexual violence against women, which forced millions to flee and seek refuge in India. ‘These atrocities, needless to say, shook the conscience of the world at large. Pakistan, however, remains in denial to this very day of its crimes. We support Bangladesh in its desire for justice,’ Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters at a regular briefing in New Delhi on Friday.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the MEA spokesperson highlighted the world’s awareness of the terrible atrocities committed by Pakistan in 1971. The genocide involved systematic and targeted killing of millions of innocent Bangladeshi people and mass sexual violence against women. It also forced millions of Bangladeshi people to leave their country, who went to India as refugees.
Earlier, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman emphasized the historical significance of 25 March 1971, describing it as one of the most disgraceful and brutal days in the history of freedom-loving Bangladesh. On that dark night, Pakistani occupation forces carried out one of the most heinous genocides in history against the unarmed people of Bangladesh in the name of ‘Operation Searchlight’. The Prime Minister noted that they indiscriminately opened fire on teachers, intellectuals, and innocent civilians at various places, including Dhaka University, Pilkhana, and Rajarbagh Police Lines, resulting in the deaths of many people. He described the genocide of 25 March as a pre-planned massacre.