The 1971 Liberation War was a conflict in which East Pakistan fought for independence from West Pakistan, leading to the creation of the independent nation of Bangladesh. The war began on March 26, 1971, after the Pakistani military launched a brutal crackdown on the Bengali population, which sought greater autonomy and rights. The conflict lasted for about nine months and involved widespread atrocities. The war ended on December 16, 1971, when the Pakistani military surrendered to the joint forces of the Indian Army and the Mukti Bahini, the Bengali guerrilla fighters. This victory marked the establishment of Bangladesh as a sovereign state, recognized internationally shortly thereafter.