The Bangladesh Army traced its roots back to the East Bengal Regiment composed solely of youths from East Bengal, would be East Pakistan. However, on 25 March 1971, Pakistan Armed Forces led a militant crackdown on the Bengali civilians through Operation Searchlight and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared the independence of Bangladesh. As a result, in March 1971, many Bengali soldiers in the Pakistan Army revolted and joined the guerilla movement, Mukti Bahini also known as Bangladesh Forces. Colonel Mohd. Ataul Goni Osmani served as the Commander-in-Chief and Major General Mohd. Abdur Rab as the Chief of Staff.