Jinjira genocide
Encyclopedia
Jinjira massacre was a planned killing of civilians by the Pakistan army
during the Bangladesh liberation war
of 1971. The killing took place at the unions Jinjira, Kalindi and Shubhadya of Keraniganj Upazila
across the Buriganga River
from Dhaka
.
began as the Pakistan army launched Operation Searchlight
on 25 March 1971 to suppress the Bengali
uprising in the then East Pakistan
. As a reaction, people from Dhaka flocked to Keraniganj on the other side of the river. The union Jinjira and nearby areas were inhabited by a large number of Hindu families. The elements of Pakistan army, now in control of Dhaka city after the crackdown of 25 March marked Jinjira and surrounding area as a target for military operation.
continued for nearly nine hours. One of the largest such execution took place beside a pond near the Nandail Dak street where 60 people were lined up and shot. The soldiers also fire on the houses using gun powder. More than a thousand people died in this massacre.
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
during the Bangladesh liberation war
Bangladesh Liberation War
The Bangladesh Liberation War was an armed conflict pitting East Pakistan and India against West Pakistan. The war resulted in the secession of East Pakistan, which became the independent nation of Bangladesh....
of 1971. The killing took place at the unions Jinjira, Kalindi and Shubhadya of Keraniganj Upazila
Keraniganj Upazila
Keraniganj is an Upazila of Dhaka District in the Division of Dhaka, Bangladesh.-Geography:Keraniganj is located at . Keraniganj stands on the southwest side of Dhaka City on the bank of the river Buriganga...
across the Buriganga River
Buriganga River
The Buriganga River is the main river flowing beside Dhaka city, capital of Bangladesh. The average depth is and maximum depth is .-History:...
from Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
.
Background
The 1971 Bangladesh atrocities1971 Bangladesh atrocities
Beginning with the start of Operation Searchlight on 25 March 1971 and continuing throughout the Bangladesh Liberation War, there were widespread violations of human rights in East Pakistan perpetrated by the Pakistan Army, with support from local political and religious militias, especially...
began as the Pakistan army launched Operation Searchlight
Operation Searchlight
Operation Searchlight was a planned military operation carried out by the Pakistan Army to curb the Bengali nationalist movement in the erstwhile East Pakistan in March 1971. Ordered by the central government in West Pakistan, this was seen as the sequel to "Operation Blitz" which had been...
on 25 March 1971 to suppress the Bengali
Bengali people
The Bengali people are an ethnic community native to the historic region of Bengal in South Asia. They speak Bengali , which is an Indo-Aryan language of the eastern Indian subcontinent, evolved from the Magadhi Prakrit and Sanskrit languages. In their native language, they are referred to as বাঙালী...
uprising in the then East Pakistan
East Pakistan
East Pakistan was a provincial state of Pakistan established in 14 August 1947. The provincial state existed until its declaration of independence on 26 March 1971 as the independent nation of Bangladesh. Pakistan recognized the new nation on 16 December 1971. East Pakistan was created from Bengal...
. As a reaction, people from Dhaka flocked to Keraniganj on the other side of the river. The union Jinjira and nearby areas were inhabited by a large number of Hindu families. The elements of Pakistan army, now in control of Dhaka city after the crackdown of 25 March marked Jinjira and surrounding area as a target for military operation.
Massacre
The army started to amass forces around Keraniganj from the midnight of 1 April . They took control of the Mitford Hospital by the river. At around 5 am they commenced the attack by throwing flair from the roof of the mosque adjecent to the hospital. The army moved into Jinjira and opened fire on people. The massacreMassacre
A massacre is an event with a heavy death toll.Massacre may also refer to:-Entertainment:*Massacre , a DC Comics villain*Massacre , a 1932 drama film starring Richard Barthelmess*Massacre, a 1956 Western starring Dane Clark...
continued for nearly nine hours. One of the largest such execution took place beside a pond near the Nandail Dak street where 60 people were lined up and shot. The soldiers also fire on the houses using gun powder. More than a thousand people died in this massacre.