Bangladesh, June 17 -- More than five decades after its defeat in the 1971 Liberation War, Pakistans military establishment has yet to reconcile with the bitter humiliation inflicted by the Bengali people. In that war, which saw Indias decisive intervention, East Pakistan was liberated and emerged as the sovereign nation of Bangladesh. However, the military top brass in Islamabad, haunted by what they perceive as a disgraceful defeat by so-called “pseudo-Hindus” and Indian forces, continues to nurture an unquenchable thirst for revenge.

Pakistans leadership – particularly its military and intelligence agencies – has long resented the cultural and linguistic independence of Bengalis, whom they sought to assimilate ...