India–Pakistan war of 1971
Military confrontation leading to the independence of Bangladesh.
Pakistan Army · Public domain
The war began with Pakistan's Operation Chengiz Khan, consisting of preemptive aerial strikes on eight Indian air stations, leading India to declare war on Pakistan and enter the conflict on the side of Bengali nationalist forces.
- location
- East Pakistan and western front
- belligerents
- India and Pakistan
- outcome
- Indian victory; formation of Bangladesh
Lore & Background
The Indo-Pakistani conflict was sparked by the Bangladesh Liberation War, which resulted from the violation of the rights of East Pakistan by the Pakistan Army.
Reader's Guide
The war's significance lies in its role in the creation of Bangladesh and the humanitarian crisis it involved. The conflict also caused eight to ten million people to flee to India. India's involvement, after appeals to the international community failed, led to a thirteen-day war that ended with the surrender of Pakistani forces in Dhaka.
Did You Know?
- The war began with Pakistan's Operation Chengiz Khan, preemptive aerial strikes on eight Indian air stations.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the belligerents in the India–Pakistan war of 1971 and what were their roles?
India and Pakistan were the two principal combatants, with India joining the fight alongside Bengali nationalist forces in East Pakistan. Pakistan opened the hostilities through Operation Chengiz Khan, a wave of preemptive airstrikes on eight Indian airfields, which triggered India's formal declaration of war.
Why is the India–Pakistan war of 1971 important?
It is a turning point in South Asian history because it produced the independent state of Bangladesh, permanently altering the region's political map. The brief, decisive nature of the campaign also made it a frequently studied case in modern military history.
More in Military Conflicts And Wars 1-18
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record