On December 23, 1971, the Bangladesh Liberation War reached a turning point with the surrender of Pakistani forces in Dhaka, effectively ending the conflict. The war, which had begun earlier that year, involved a struggle for independence by Bangladesh, then known as East Pakistan, from West Pakistan. The war resulted in widespread atrocities, including mass killings and sexual violence. The conflict also caused millions of refugees to flee across borders. Bangladeshs independence was finally recognized after the surrender, though the wars legacy remains painful for many.