Country observes the programme spontaneously by switching their light off at 9:00pm

The nation observed a one-minute blackout tonight commemorating the brutalities and cowardly attacks carried out by the Pakistani occupation forces on the unarmed Bangalees on the black night of March 25 in 1971.

People across the country kept their lights off for one minute from 9:00pm. However, the government did not suspend the power supply.

Emergency services remained out of the purview of the blackout programme when additional security measures were in place.

Besides, the nation is observing the 'Genocide Day' in a sombre mood.

The day is being observed officially for the second time in the country as Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution on March 11, 2017 to observe March 25 as the Genocide Day.

On the black night of March 25 in 1971, the Pakistani military junta resorted to mass killing in Dhaka to implement their blueprint to thwart the Awami League's assumption of office following the election mandate of 1970.

In the attack dubbed 'Operation Searchlight', the Pakistani forces mercilessly killed the Bangalee members of the East Pakistan Rifles and police, students, teachers and common people.

They killed people indiscriminately, set fire to houses and properties, and looted business establishments, leaving a trail of destruction