The Mukti Bahini ( translates as Freedom Fighters, or Liberation Forces; also known as the Bangladesh Forces) is a popular Bengali term which refers to the guerrilla resistance movement formed by the Bangladeshi military, paramilitary and civilians during the country's War of Liberation in 1971. Following the start of Operation Searchlight and the 1971 Bangladesh genocide committed by the Pakistan Army and pro-Pakistani paramilitary groups in East Pakistan, Bengali military and paramilitary units revolted across the territory. They were joined by thousands of Bengali civilians from various layers of the Bengali society. The Bangladeshi Declaration of Independence was proclaimed from Chittagong by members of the Mukti Bahini on behalf of Prime Minister-elect Sheikh Mujibur Rahman - who was detained by the military junta in West Pakistan.