Explanation: The Third Indo-Pak War, which took place in 1971, was a significant conflict in the history of South Asia. The primary cause of this war was the Bangladesh Liberation War, which was a political and military conflict in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) against the government of West Pakistan. The roots of this conflict can be traced back to the political and economic disparities between East and West Pakistan, which led to a growing sense of alienation and a desire for independence among the people of East Pakistan.
In 1970, East Pakistan held a general election, which was won by the Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Awami League's victory was seen as a mandate for the implementation of the Six Point Program, which aimed to address the grievances of East Pakistan. However, the government of West Pakistan, led by General Yahya Khan, was reluctant to transfer power to the Awami League, leading to widespread protests and civil unrest in East Pakistan.
In response to the growing unrest, the Pakistani military launched Operation Searchlight on March 25, 1971, which involved a brutal crackdown on the people of East Pakistan. This led to a large-scale refugee crisis, with millions of East Pakistani civilians fleeing to India. The Indian government, under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, decided to intervene in the conflict to support the independence movement in East Pakistan.
India's intervention in the conflict was primarily humanitarian, aimed at providing refuge and support to the people of East Pakistan. However, this intervention led to a full-scale war between India and Pakistan. The war lasted for 13 days, from December 3 to December 16, 1971. During this time, the Indian Army, along with the Mukti Bahini (the Bengali liberation forces), launched a coordinated attack on Pakistani forces in East Pakistan.
The war ended with the surrender of the Pakistani forces in East Pakistan, leading to the creation of Bangladesh as an independent nation. The Third Indo-Pak War was a significant turning point in the history of South Asia, as it not only led to the creation of Bangladesh but also had long-lasting implications for the relations between India and Pakistan.
In summary, the Third Indo-Pak War was primarily a result of the Bangladesh Liberation War, which was a political and military conflict in East Pakistan. The war was not primarily about Kashmir or terrorist attacks, but rather about the independence struggle in East Pakistan and the subsequent intervention by India.