The country that invaded itself to win independence

Bangladesh was part of Pakistan from 1947 until its independence in 1971. The country was divided into two geographically and culturally distinct regions: West Pakistan (now simply Pakistan) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The political, cultural, and economic disparities between these two wings led to significant tension.

Events Leading to War:
Cultural and Political Disparities: East Pakistan felt marginalized by the central government in West Pakistan, which was dominated by West Pakistani interests. The language, culture, and political representation of Bengalis were suppressed.
1970 Election: The Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won a landslide victory in the national elections, securing a majority in the Pakistani National Assembly. However, West Pakistan's military and political elite refused to transfer power, leading to political deadlock.
Operation Searchlight: On March 25, 1971, the Pakistani military launched Operation Searchlight, aiming to crush the Bengali nationalist movement. This operation included mass arrests, killings, and displacement of people in East Pakistan, effectively igniting the Bangladesh Liberation War.

The War of Independence:
Formation of Mukti Bahini: The resistance was organized under the banner of the Mukti Bahini (Liberation Army), which included defectors from the Pakistani military, civilians, and volunteers from various backgrounds.
Indian Intervention: The conflict escalated when India, motivated by humanitarian concerns, regional strategic interests, and the influx of refugees, openly supported the Mukti Bahini. In December 1971, India officially entered the conflict, leading to a swift military campaign against Pakistan.
Surrender and Independence: On December 16, 1971, the Pakistani forces in East Pakistan surrendered, marking the birth of Bangladesh as an independent nation. This was one of the largest military surrenders since World War II.

Interpretation as 'Self-Invasion':
The phrase "invaded itself" can metaphorically describe how the conflict was essentially an internal civil war where one part of the country (East Pakistan) fought against the control of another part (West Pakistan), leading to the creation of a new nation-state. The involvement of the Mukti Bahini, composed of East Pakistanis, against the Pakistani military can be seen as East Pakistan metaphorically "invading itself" to achieve autonomy and independence.

This narrative showcases the complexity of national identity, sovereignty, and the struggle for self-determination, where the act of gaining independence involved a significant internal conflict, leading to the birth of Bangladesh.