Operation Searchlight was set to be launched at 1pm on March 26, but Awami League President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s proclamation of independence the previous night prompted the Pakistani military junta to start its well-designed massacre 13 hours ahead of the schedule, so that the Bangalis could not put up a strong resistance.
According to a White Paper published on August 5, 1971 by the Pakistan government, the Awami League had a plan to stage an armed revolution early on March 26.
Maj Gen Khadim Hossain Raja, General Officer Commanding of 14th Division and Maj Gen Rao Farman Ali Khan, GOC of 57th Division came to a decision on February 22, 1971 regarding the army expedition named “Operation Searchlight.”
Under orders of the Chief of Staff Gen Abdul Hamid Khan on March 17, Khadim Raja finalised the plan of the operation. Rao Forman Ali prepared the five-page operation plan.
For its implementation, Hamid, AO Miththi and Col Sadullah visited different cantonments by helicopter on March 24-25. To make the operation a success, two trusted officers of the military dictator Yahya Khan - Miththi and Maj Gen Iftekhar Janjua – were summoned to Dhaka.
Infograph Dhaka Tribune