Al-Shams (East Pakistan)
| Al-Shams | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Fazlul Quader Chowdhury |
| Foundation | March 1971 |
| Dissolved | December 16, 1971 |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Allegiance | Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan
|
| Headquarters | East Pakistan |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Far-right |
| Major actions | War crimes, genocide, looting, rape, mass murder, arson, kidnapping |
| Notable attacks | |
| Status | Inactive |
| Allies | Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Pakistan Army |
| Opponents | Provisional Government of Bangladesh |
| Battles and wars | Bangladesh War of Independence |
The Al-Shams (Bengali: আল-শামস; Urdu: الشمس; lit. 'The sun') was a collaborationist paramilitary wing allied with several Islamist parties in East Pakistan, comprising both local Bengalis and Muhajirs. Alongside the Pakistan Army and Al-Badr, Al-Shams has been accused of participating in widespread atrocities against Bengali nationalists, civilians, and religious and ethnic minorities during the 1971 war. Following the war, the government of Bangladesh officially banned the group.