Sook Ching was a systematic extermination campaign carried out by the Japanese military in Singapore during World War II, specifically from February to March 1942. The operation targeted Chinese residents suspected of anti-Japanese activities. Thousands of individuals were rounded up, interrogated, and many were executed, leading to significant loss of life. The term "Sook Ching" translates to "purification through suppression." This brutal campaign aimed to eliminate potential resistance against Japanese rule. The aftermath left deep scars in the local community and is remembered as a tragic chapter in Singapore's history, highlighting the impact of wartime atrocities on civilians.