The 1971 Bangladesh atrocities began as the Pakistan army launched Operation Searchlight on 25 March 1971 to suppress the Bengali uprising in 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.