Just before the Pakistani army arrested Bangabandhu, his declaration of independence was transmitted to different parts of the world through several ships including MV Salvista, MV Mini La Tria, MV VV Giri and others. Butcher Tikka Khan later in an interview and Siddiq Salik in his book said that they heard Bangabandhu's declaration of independence themselves.
Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra started transmission from Chattogram soon after Bangabandhu declared independence in the early hours of March 26. Belal Mohammad, one of its organizers, said that the declaration of independence was broadcast first on March 26. MA Hannan, general secretary of Chattogram Awami League, readout the first declaration of independence on behalf of Bangabandhu on the radio. The declaration was also spread through loudspeakers in different areas since the morning of March 26. By noon, it was transcribed into Bengali and distributed as leaflets. Even the radio staff started broadcasting Bangabandhu
25th march, 1971, genocide, pakistan army, Dhaka, operation searchlight,
A black veil has just showed up over the history of mankind. It was the night of March 25, 1971. The roar of tanks broke the silence of the night. Millions of people in Bangladesh, then a province of Pakistan, woke up not to the chirping of birds but to the thudding sounds of bombs and bullets. That was the kickoff of one of the biggest genocides, led by then General Yahya Khan of Pakistan, in world history.
All through the day, leaders of the Awami League waited for the telephone call General SGMM Peerzada had promised to make regarding the former’s proposals on a constitutional settlement from the regime. The call never came.
Throughout the afternoon, Pakistani army officers helicoptered across the province, signalling all army formations that they should be on standby for the imminent military operations to begin.