Operation Searchlight

Part of Bangladesh Liberation War

Date	26 March 1971 – 25 May 1971
Location	East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
Result	Temporary West Pakistani occupation Organization of Bengali popular resistance

Belligerents

Mukhti Bahini
Provisional Government

Awami League

Pakistan Armed Forces

Commanders and leaders

Premier Tajuddin Ahmad

Col. M. A. G. Osmani

President Yahya Khan

Strength

Bengali Forces: ~8,000 Bengali soldiers from East Bengal RegimentsParamilitary Forces:
East Pakistan Rifles:~13,000 soldiers
and approximately 30,000+ members of East Pakistan Police and Ansar armed with .303 rifles

Civilian volunteers: unknown (usually unarmed)

Reinforcements: unknown number of unarmed ex-servicemen and civilians

Pakistan Army: 14th Infantry Division, estimated 18,000+ soldiers, 1 armoured regiment (75 M24 Chaffee tanks). Paramilitary Forces: ~3,000 East Pakistan Rifles, 1800 East Pakistan Police personnel
Reinforcements: The 9th and 16th Infantry divisions from West Pakistan
Pakistan Air Force: 20 F-86 Sabre, 3 T-33 trainers, 4 Helicopters, 5 C-130 Hercules transport planes.

Pakistan Navy:

4 Gunboats and 1 Patrol Boat, 1 Destroyer.

Casualties and losses

Mukti Bahini: ~4,000+POWs, 10,000 KIA (Pakistan claim)

~6,000 KIA and wounded a few POWs.

Civilian death toll: Estimated 300,000 to 3 Million Bengali civilians.

Mukhti Bahini
Provisional Government

Premier Tajuddin Ahmad

President Yahya Khan

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Wikipedia