Liberation War of Bangladesh

The meeting on the Meghna was the first set-piece battle of the liberation war. It amply demonstrated enemy’s superiority in fire power and its ever whelming capability to move at ease by air and water. The enemy was better trained in modern warfare and in the handling of weapons. With the lack of mobility and fire power the two main deciding factors for any conventional warfare, no commander can ever conceive of an armed engagement. But the situation was different with the liberation army. We had to fight with what ever we had. We knew it for certain that today’s defeat would bring forth victory in the future. The first set-piece battle had its obvious toll in killed and injured. Subedar Sirajul Islam, Lance Naik Abdul Hai, sepoys Kafil Uddin and Abdur Rahman Sarkar and many others died in this action while a good number got injured.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

After a long hurried night march the troops got exhausted and tried. They were thirsty. Sarail gave them a rather cold welcome. The warmth and enthusiasm of the locals on the previous day diminished to its lowest ebb. We could appreciate the feeling of the people. They had reposed high hopes on us. We failed them and could not come up to their expectation at Ashuganj.
Another eight miles to Shahbazpur, on the banks of Titas. I was there with my troops less the company under Matin. By the second half of the night Matin reached Shahbazpur. Bhairab could not be held for long. Matiur was overpowered. The use of the bridge and the river Meghna to get across to our side of the bank was denied to him. Matiur withdrew to the north along the railway track to Kuliarchar. He joined me later through Chatalpar.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Nasim and Morshed sustained injuries during this action which had an adverse effect on the battle. Now with the successful heli landing of the enemy I thought it better to get my troops extricated to safety. They were already disorganized and were in utter confusion. Towards the evening Nasim fell back towards Sarail. The enemy flotilla turned on the mouth of Titas, landed their troops and began to sweep along my left flank. Matin at Lalpur began to feel uneasy. The position was no more tenable by him. It was evening when he fell back along the railway track and there from to Brahmanbaria. Brahmanbaria wore a deserted look. It was about midnight when, Matin along with his troops made for Sarail without any delay and found none of our troops there also.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

The Ajabpur position was thinly held by irregular troops under a junior commissioned officer. The heli landings took place around that place unhindered. The enemy air strikes continued to dominate the battle field. My troops simply ducked down in their trenches. Their power of movement and initiative was snatched away. The heliborne troops soon organized themselves quietly and attacked our position at Ashuganj from the north-east of the railway track. To counter this unforeseen development, that is, the landing of the heliborne troops at the rear, Nasim quickly reorganized his company inspite of air action and assaulted the enemy. Lance Naik Abdul Hai, the detachment commander of an MG post, kept on firing on the enemy from an open trench on the railway track till he was hit by a direct shot from 83 mm blendicide causing his instantaneous death. The enemy closed in our defended localities in a body. Soon they were drawn in unawares within our fold. Close quarter battle that continued for about an hour had witnessed some of the fiercest hand to hand fights. The enemy suffered a good number on casualties in this encounter.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

As the battle raged on the enemy bank, the flotilla closed in within range and formed a perfect target. The commander at Lalpur, Matin, in his hurried and difficult move the previous night had left his 106 mm RR with the company at Ashuganj under Nasim. The RR could not be moved because of carriage difficulties. However, one 75 mm RR was moved from Gokanaghat to the mouth of Titas which scored 5 shots at the LCT without causing any material damage.
When the flotilla was still looking for our position with searching eyes, a trigger happy soldier from the middle opened fire. The enemy returned immediately with a volley from the tanks. Instantly all the fire opened up. Our rocket launchers and mortars started pounding the enemy. The enemy was taken aback. The flotilla gradually started drifting away from the bank while the guns kept on spitting fire. In no time, six Sabre F-86 fighters were on our positions at Bhairab, Ashuganj, Lalpur and at Brahmanbaria. They were playing havoc and kept us pinned down. Air action left my troops in a spell of chaos and confusion. This continued uninterrupted for 6 hours from 5-30 a.m. to 11-30 a.m. it was during this time that I noticed a beeline of MI-8 helicopters yonder across the river to Shohagpur between Ashuganj and Ajabpur. The helicopters squatted for a while to unload the Pakistani “Maroon Barets” and flew back to fly in more sorties. It was a company plus that landed behind our position. I had no anti-heli force to counter this dangerous threat behind my back. Thus, to our great disadvantage, another dimension was added to this battle, where we could not help much.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

At 5-30 a.m. on April 15, enemy guns opened up on our positions at Ashuganj, Lalpur and Bhairab. It was evident that pre-H hour bombardment had started. I guessed, it was from the vicinity of Khana Bari railway station that the guns were firing. The enemy flotilla again appeared in front of Lalpur. Heavy bombardment continued which kept our heads done. My troops at Lalpur under the command of Matin caught sight of the enemy advancing cautiously over the Meghna. The enemy was heading towards Lalpur for a landing under the cover of their artillery fire. It was virtually a flotilla that carried the enemy on board, approximately a battalion plus strength. The fleet consisted of two gunboats, two landing craft tanks and four launches. Troops of chafe’s PT 76 with their upright hulls were ominously lurking at Lalpur. I must congratulate my boys for exercising extreme restrain and control on fire. With their eyes on the enemy and fingers on the trigger, they were measuring up the range.
In the meantime another enemy battalion stole on Bhairab Bazar along the railway track. I had no means to influence the battle across the river. Matiur was instructed to contain and to impose maximum delay on the enemy and ultimately fallback on the home bank over the bridge and by boat.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

However, on reaching Lalpur Matin hurriedly positioned himself on the left of Morshed’s position. As he moved along river bank he had to leave behind his recoilless rifles at Ashuganj with Nasim because of transportation difficulties. Morshed remained deployed at Lalpur on the right side of Matin’s company. It remained a mistry to me why this company from Sharail was moved to Lalpur on foot via Ashuganj rather than sending them on vehicle via Brahmanbaria.
On hearing about this impending enemy landing, at 2 a.m. on April 15, I left Moulvi Bazar and reached Brahmanbaria at dawn. I was surprised to learn that my reserve company was already moved from Sharail to Lalpur by Lt. Col. Reza. Lalpur tactically was an important place no doubt. It dominated the mouth on Titas and the track running due south-east of Brahmanbaria. For this purpose I deployed Morshed there. But to me depth at that time was more important under the circumstances, than linear deployment of all the available troops on the river bank. Beaching operation, though an extremely difficult one, but is never a failure. A determined enemy could always make a landing on the enemy shore, and successfully make a bridge head. We could stop him only after the landing and fight him from successive intermediate positions. But my intermediate position remained unoccupied.
I had no wireless communication with the companies. The use of a foot runner was time consuming. The battle was gaining momentum. Recalling of the reserve company at this hour was nighters neither possible nor logical particularly when we were under constant enemy air attack. I took the bitter pill and only hoped for the best.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Early in the morning of April 14, the enemy with a fleet of river craft probed the bank of river Meghna near Lalpur for a landing. To our appreciation the enemy was carrying out a reconnaissance of the landing place.
It was evident that the enemy was not able to make up their mind about the landing. They were yet not clear about or defensive layout and was, therefore, going slow about the landing. Suddenly the enemy came under intense fire from Lalpur. Exchange of fire continued for about an hour and the enemy pulled back downstream to the south. Lt. Col. Reza was at Brahmanbaria for shifting the currency from the banks and for depositing the same of Bangladesh Government at Agartala. Apprehending the threat confronting Lalpur, Lt. Col. Reza ordered the reserve company of Matin at Sharail to move to Lalpur. But for them my orders were different. On such situation they were to get deployed on the intermediary position between Talshahar and Gokanaghat line. This company in advance had recommoitered and prepared these positions. In my absence, however, Matin was given a different task and in order to accomplish that task he moved to the new location during the night along the eastern bank of river Meghna. As a result, he was not in a position to deploy his troops at Lalpur during the night, the reason being the position was neither reconnoitered nor prepared by him.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Matiur at Bhairab was not at all in a happy situation. He had a difficult withdrawal from Panchdone and Narshingdi. The enemy had followed him closely behind. Though the Rampur railway bridge was demolished it would need only a few hours efforts to establish a bridge head at Rampur and about 8 hours for assault crossing. I had to send a reinforcement there without any delay. A draft of young, hurriedly trained civilian volunteers arrived at Brahmanbaria in the morning on April 13. I ordered them to be dispatched immediately to Bhairab Bazar. This draft of young boys was from among the first batch of trainees received from Teliapara. As they were about to leave for Bhairab they came under heavy enemy strafing near the railway station. In this sudden air strike sepoy Mohammad Mohsin of East Bengal Regiment and a trained volunteer got killed. It was definitely a demoralizing effect on my troops. I was there to see them off to Bhairab.
On this day I got a message from Colonel Osmany to attend a co-ordination conference to be held at Moulvi Bazar at 10 a.m. on April 14. I therefore, left my headquarter for Moulvi Bazar on the morning of 14 April.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

. Another mixed regular company under Captain Ainuddin was deployed at Brahmanbaria facing Gokanaghat on the river Tista. One company of EPR troops under Captain Matin was located at Sharail. The main purpose of keeping this company at Sharail was to use them as reserve and also provide depth to the forward localities by occupying Talshahar and Gokanaghat line of defense. This line of defense was the only intermediary position between Ashuganj and Brahmanbaria. The company was kept mobile so that it can move fast and occupy Talshahar-Gokanaghat line of defense without much loss of time with a view to forestalling any threat developing on Ashuganj front.
Of late, the enemy reconnaissance aircraft and helicopters were active on our area. The purpose of these reconnaissance missions was known to us. We were, therefore, very particular about our camouflage and passive air defense.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

In April most of the river banks in Bangladesh stand out above the receding water level. At places the banks are steep and non-negotiable by transport without the help of a barge. At Ashuganj side of Meghna, although large scale landing facility did not exist, infantry movement was not at all difficult. Ashuganj is a railway station on the home side of the bridge. It is on a slightly raised ground. I decided to hold it physically with a company of regulars under Captain Nasim. About 3 miles to the north of Ashuganj, Ajabpur is a river ghat which serves Sharail and Brahmanbaria. An irregular company was deployed there under a junior commissioned officer. About 2 miles to the south of Ashuganj Lieutenant Morshed had a mixed regular and irregular company deployed thinly at Lalpur. Lalpur and Brahmanbaria were linked with an unmetalled road. Morshed’s task was to deny enemy landing within his area of responsibility and deny the use of unmetalled road by the enemy leading towards Brahmanbaria. Captain Matiur Rahman after fighting his way down from Narshingdi was deployed at Bhairab Bazar. He had an EPR company

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Meeting on the Meghna:
Pakistanis had a serious headache about Brahmanbaria, a place of vital importance between Sylhet and Comilla. As a river route to Sylhet, Bhairab-Ashuganj complex enjoyed tactical as well as strategic importance. Khaled on the south and my troops on the north, from either side, we had Brahmanbaria and Ashuganj-Bhairab respectively within our fold. Pakistanis decided to effect a break through. With a part of 53 Bridge-located at Comilla, Brigadier Iqbal Shafi had already made a dash over to Chittagong to take on Zia. This bridge finally moved to Chittagong duly replaced by 117 Brigades ex-9 iInfantry Division. Pakistanis wanted to have uninterrupted control over Sylhet-Comilla highway so that 313 and 117 Brigades could have free hand on the use of the highway. It was, therefore, quite obvious that a break through operation would be launched from Dhaka and that I would be required to receive the enemy at Bhairab-Ashuganj.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

In this spirited and patriotic address, he eulogized the liberation army, which was being formed around the nucleus of the professional soldiers from the East Bengal Regiment. While surveying the activities of the liberation army with additional information he further expanded the command structure, dividing the country into seven major regions and appointed the commanders for each region and those were:
a. Chittagong-Chittagong Hill Tracts region under Major Ziaur Rahman.
b. Comilla-Noakhali region under Major Khaled Musharraf.
c. Sylhet-Brahmanbaria-Mymensingh region under Major K.M. Safiullah.
d. Rangpur-region under Captain Nawazish.
e. Dinajpur-Rajshahi-Pabna region under Major Najmul Haque.
f. South west region (Khustia-Jessore) under Major Abu Osman Chowdhury.
g. Barishal-Patuakhali region under Capt. Jalil.
As predicted Colonel M A G Osmany was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the liberation force of Bangladesh. The announcement was most opportune. It had its desired effect.
Zia, Khaled and myself made our Plan to mop up pockets of resistance in our area preparatory to a combined onslaught on Dhaka. But our plans could not be materialized immediately. Enemy struck us at all fronts. Pakistani forces were hell bent on ousting us from the liberated areas.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Turning Point
The Liberation war up till now was lacking in the life force for want of a political back up. Obedience to a legal and constitutional authority is the basis for the healthy functioning of any military force. The vacuum created by the absence of a formally constituted government of Bangladesh was keenly felt be the rank and file of the liberation army. Thus thousands, amidst thunderous cheers, witnessed the birth of a new state-Bangladesh, in a border village, later christened as Mujib Nagar, in the subdivision of Chuadanga. This was officially proclaimed at an impressive oath taking ceremony which took place at Mujib Nagar on April 17. This ceremony was attended by over 50 foreign journalists and thousands of spectators.
After having formed the provisional government in exile at Agartala on April 10, the prime Minister designate, Mr. Tajuddin Ahmed, made his first radio broadcast through Shwadhin Bangla Betar Kendra (voice of free Bangladesh radio) announcing the formation of military command structure of ‘Mukti Bahini’, in which Colonel (later General) Osmany was made the Commander-in-Chief and named Safiullah, Zia, Khaled and Abu Osman as region commanders. On 11 April 71, Mr. Tajuddin Ahmed made his second radio broadcast again through Shwadhin Bangla Betar Kendra and called upon the people of Bangladesh to mobilize their energy for the liberation struggle.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Aziz organized strong defense on Sherpur-Shadipur line having a screen position on the far bank. He appreciated that the enemy, being strong, would chase him now. On April 23 an enemy aircraft flew over his area several times and after being sure about the target, began strafing and rocketing. This was followed by long range artillery fire on his position. The screen position was contacted by the enemy infantry on April 26. With heavy casualties the screen fell back but the enemy could not dislodge Aziz from the main defense.
In this action Havildar Muslemuddin and Lance Naik Abdur Rahman died and five were injured. The enemy also sustained heavy casualties, both in dead and injured. This debacle was first of its kind. We lost a vast tract of the liberated area in Sylhet. This was a major setback. In retrospect, while analyzing this action, I could not blame my men. They were inferior both in strength and in weapons to the enemy. We were too scattered to give a fight in an organized manner. Three-fourth of our troops was not trained to fight conventional set piece battle. We could master very little support from the locals to execute the plan. Lastly. The field commanders on our side lacked experience in the use of ground and weapons.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

It was then that the most inevitable had happened. Aziz was informed that the RR detachment on the right flank had abandoned the gun position. Without any delay he rushed there and found his silent recoilless rifle standing unmanned. It was mounted on jeep where the driver was also missing. Aziz got himself behind the steering wheel and as he started moving back to his command post, enemy tried a direct hit on the jeep. The jeep rolled down along the slope of the river and stopped half way. Luckily no damage was done. Aziz began to drive back. It was here that he found some of his men from the right flank running in panic. They said that enemy a platoon strong had crossed the river and landed at Kadamtali. Aziz was unable to get his men back to their position. As he reached his command post, news of a similar crossing on his western flank had also reached him. It was now clear to him that he was on the verge of being encircled by the enemy. The apprehension of Limayya was coming true. If only Aziz could appreciate in time the situation could have been different. However he could not help it. He did not have enough troops.
By evening he had to fall back to Lala Bazar where he collected all his men before finally falling back on Sherpur-Shakipur line.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

In the thick of the battle, Dutta came along with Lieutenant Colonel Limayya, an India army officer. It was rather unexpected and risky for an Indian officer to be there then. However, in reply to a question from Lamayya, Aziz told him that he could not make any arrangement to protect his flanks against any possible enemy crossing. Limayya asked him how long would you be able to hold on to this position, Aziz Like spirited soldier informed him that he would be able to hold on to his position as long as it is required. Soon Dutta and Limayya left the battle field.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Aziz deployed his LMG on the southern end of the Kim’s bridge. The enemy, after about 4 hours of fight, was able to occupy the town and stopped short of the bridge. Constant shelling by artillery and mortar and fire from the automatics continued to engage our troops on the southern bank. In the mooning, enemy killed our LMG man on the bridge. Aziz himself got behind ghee unmanned LMG and continued firing on the enemy. All this time the enemy gave no indication of making any effort to get across the river. Aziz had deployed his 75 mm RR detachment on his right flank. This detachment became the main target of the enemy. About 2 p.m. two enemy Sabre jets flew over our position and started strafing. Our regular troops had fair idea of field defense. So enemy strafing could not do much harm to them.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

On the same evening Aziz moved in and deployed his troops in the town. He deployed a company of EPR at Ksadimnagar and manned Ambar Khana and wireless station with 60 volunteers under one Mujahid Captain. Khadimnagar experienced a hand to hand fight that night. Similarly enemy contacted our troops at Ambar Khana and wireless stations also. A heavy fighting continued the whole night. The regular company was deployed on the southern bank of Surma with a screen position on the northern bank. Aziz was badly short of manpower. The EPR troops tricking down from Sunamganj were not yet fully in. So they could not be counted in his battle strength. The battle gained momentum at about 3 a.m. in the morning. Our troops in the town started falling back almost in a route and the enemy was behind them. Enemy artillery started pounding us on the southern bank also.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Aziz deployed his LMG on the southern end of the Kim’s bridge. The enemy, after about 4 hours of fight, was able to occupy the town and stopped short of the bridge. Constant shelling by artillery and mortar and fire from the automatics continued to engage our troops on the southern bank. In the moning, enemy killed our LMG man on the bridge. Aziz himself got behind ghe unmanned LMG and continued firing on the enemy. All this time the enemy gave no indication of making any effort to get across the river. Aziz had deployed his 75 mm RR detachment on his right flank. This detachment became the main target of the enemy. About 2 p.m. two enemy Sabre jets flew over our position and started strafing. Our regular troops had fair idea of field defense. So enemy strafing could not do much harm to them.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

On the same evening Aziz moved in and deployed his troops in the town. He deployed a company of EPR at Ksadimnagar and manned Ambar Khana and wireless station with 60 volunteers under one Mujahid Captain. Khadimnagar experienced a hand to hand fight that night. Similarly enemy contacted our troops at Ambar Khana and wireless stations also. A heavy fighting continued the whole night. The regular company was deployed on the southern bank of Surma with a screen position on the northern bank. Aziz was badly short of manpower. The EPR troops tricking down from Sunamganj were not yet fully in. So they could not be counted in his battle strength. The battle gained momentum at about 3 a.m. in the morning. Our troops in the town started falling back almost in a route and the enemy was behind them. Enemy artillery started pounding us on the southern bank also.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

In Sylhet the enemy had a network of fifth columns through whom they gathered accurate information about our location. It was surprising to note that the information so fed to the enemy was correct upto the minutest detail. This was a great advantage for the enemy, who, inspite of being cut off confined to Shalotikar, could effectively use their long range weapons against us. By now, with the continuous airlifts reaching Shalotikar, the enemy had gathered enough strength. Aziz got worried about the enemy’s increasing strength and he decided to disrupt the airlifts either by destroying the aircrafts or damaging the airstrip.
On April 8, two detachments of MG and 3 inch mortar were sent from the direction of Khadimnagar to the close proximity of the airstrip. This was the time when a PIA Fokker friendship had just landed with fresh troops. The insharge of the detachment, Naik Surat Ali, fired one mortar shell from a hillock. As he was about to fire the second shell an enemy MG burst killed him on the spot. Our own MG returned fire but to no avail. Being under heavy pressure both the detachments fell back. Naik Surat Ali’s dead body could not be extricated. The selection of 3 inch mortar for this type of action at such a close proximity of the enemy was obviously wrong, due to which the mission got miscarried.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Mr. Manik Chowdhury could not master sufficient number of volunteers to stage the demonstration as planned. This brought about a great setback in execution of our plan of attack on Shalotikar. Aziz carried out wide reconnaissance in Sylhet town. In this he was assisted by the local population and in particular by MNA Mr. Dewan Farid Ghazi. The enemy had fallen back to Shalotikar. They had some troops scattered at various points in the town such as Ambarkhana, wireless station and MC college area. Everywhere they were well dug in but they had to vacate these small pockets. On April 7, with the help of Mr. Dewan Farid Ghazi the district jail was opened and all the prisoners were let off, most of whom were political prisoners and students.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

The plan:

I decided to attack the air head before it was too strong. A big show of strength would be staged as if to mob the enemy. Localities from the western side of the airfield with the help of civilians mastered by MNA Manik Chowdhury. When enemy’s attention would be fixed on the demonstration, the actual attack would be launched through the jungles of Khademnagar. One company of regulars and three of the EPR companies already in Sylhet were earmarked for this attack.
The disposition of my troops at this stage was, one company of irregulars on the Jaintiapare on the south of the Shalotikar airport. The second company was deployed on the Chhatak road. The troops of the EPR, from Sunamganj were further west on the Chhatak road. The regular company was placed in depth to guard the Surma bridge from the south bank. I could not spare any more troops for this action from what little I had in Ashuganj area. I was already under strength and the task ahead of me was too big.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

The same day Colonel Osmany, Lieutenant Colonel Rabb and Major Qazi Nuruzzaman also arrived at Moulvi Bazar. At Moulvi Bazar Colonel Osmany told my that they were thinking of making Sylhet as another sector with Major Nuruzzaman at its command. Major Dutta would also work in this sector under Major Nuruzzaman. The enemy had dug down in Shalotikar in strength. It was about 5 miles to the north of the town. On its south there was a forest and Khademnagar, a satellite township. On its west, it was bounded by Cherapunji road. The Kalagul tea gardens and a marshy land bordered the air base on the north and north-west. A range of small hills skirted Shalotikar on the south and south-east. The enemy, in danger of being encircled, organized a pillbox defence. After having been beaten on the bank of Surma, their moral was flagging. Before the reinforcement arrived they were about to surrender to us. Apprehensive of sure death in case they were caught alive, they could not take any chances. So they prepared an impregnable defense which could serve them as a springboard as well, for further operations in the area.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Habiganj had a rare combination of a lucky trio. MNA Mr. Manik Chowdhury, MNA Lieutenant Colonel Abdur Rabb (retired) and Major C.R. Dutta. They raised a resistance force with 200 Ansars. They were armed with rifles and 6000 rounds of 303 ammunition. Soon more ELPR troops joined them. At this stage I entered the scene with my troops. I then drew up a plan to capture Sylhet. The troops started moving towards their abjectives on 5 April.
After fighting a successful action at Sherpur Major Dutta’s troops reached Lala Bazar on April 6. My Charlie company under Capltain Aziz, who was launched from the eastern flank, successfully secured the southern bank of Surma by evening April 7. Dutta’s troops thereafter, joined Aziz, went across the bridge and got busy in organizing themselves into a strong force in general area Sylhet town and Khadim Nagar. The enemy build up at Shalotikar demanded an immediate action on our part. But I did not have enough troops to launch an attack on Shalotikar airport. On April 8 as I was going to visit my troops at Sylhet, I stopped at Moulvi Bazar and had a discussion with Dutta about the enemy development that were taking place a Shalotikar since April 6. We were already two days behind the schedule. We agreed that we must attack the enemy without any delay.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Dhaka was the operational, as well as the logistic base of the occupation army. The air bridge established by the boeing 707’s of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) regularly turned out an average of over 500 soldiers in Dhaka for further dissemination to various cantonments. This bridge was strengthened by the induction of the C-130 transport aircraft of the Pakistan air force. For quick dispatch of reinforcement to the affected areas and also sometimes for the lack of landing space in the Dhaka airport apron, very often the C-130 herculis transport aircraft used to be diverted to the nearest air heads from the air. In the name of resumption of PIA domestic service, the Fokker friendships were also engaged in a mad rush of troops lifting. With this air bus service, very soon the enemy strength in Sylhet showed a sharp rise. It was noticed that a battery of 120 mm mortar had arrived at Shalotikar air base. In addition, two more battalion ad also arrived there. We were then more than sure that 313 Brigade had arrived in Sylhet.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Niazi decided to relplace East Pakistan Rifles by an equivalent organization of the civil armed forces officered and manned mainly by those brought from West Pakistan. He named it East Pakistan civil armed forces and placed Major General M Jamshed to command this force. A start was already made for the recruitment and training of Mujahids and Razakar forces. Their main tasks were to defend the police station, the vulnerable targets like bridges, railway and electric installations in the interior. They were also supposed to harass, intimidate and eliminate the supporters and sympathizers of the liberation army. Thus the occupation army of Pakistan got down on the ground with 14 Division controlling areas between Dhaka-Mymensingh and Jessore, 9 Division to the east of river Meghna covering areas from Sylhet to Chittagong and 16 Division looking after the whole of north Bengal. East Pakistan civil armed forces was raised to look after the interior. With this forward posture the Pakistan army began its clearing and combing operation with all the resources at their disposal.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

After initial success in Dhaka 57 Brigade the “Fire Brigade” was given the mission to rescue 25 Punjub at Rajshahi. It moved by road and river from Dhaka to Rahshahi covering a distance of about 150 miles. During its move it left a trail of fire and smoke all along its route. The destruction and killings caused by this brigade was fraught with utter consternation by the people of Bangladesh. The column started on April 8 and reached Rajshahi on April 14.
27 Brigade moved to Mymensingh in two columns by road and rail. On April 11 Lieutenant General A A K Niazi became the commander of the Eastern Command. General Tikka Khan was thus relieved of his additional responsibilities of command. He was left solely to works as the Governor and the Martial Law Administrator. But for the sheer weight of his force, the impact of Niazi’s command was hardly felt. Niazi issued his new operational directives to be accomplished in five phases. Those were:
Phase 1: Clearing of all major towns and sealing off the borders.
Phase 2: Clearing and holding of Chittagong port and keeping it safe from
Mukti Bahini.
Phase 3: Opening of essential river, road and rail communication.
Phase 4: Clearing of all towns in the interior and the coastal areas.
Phase 5: Combing operation of the whole province and elimination of
resistance.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

By this time, 16 Division from Quetta had also completed its move. This division was given, within its operational control, the whole of north Bengal.
14 Division had Mymensingh, Dhaka and Jessore within its operational control. Its 57 Brigade after having completed its mission on Dhaka was given an independent mission across the river Jamuna in aid of 9 Division. 27 Brigade was to open road and rail links between Comilla-Sylhet prior to its move to Mymensingh. In fulfillment of this mission the brigade launched a vigorous river crossing operation over Meghna and Bhairab Bazar. It was assisted in this operation by tanks, commandos, helicopters and aircraft. In addition, the enemy had landing craft tanks (LCT) and gun boats in its support. This attack lasted over 72 hours.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Chittagong in the initial days had the naval base, 20 Baluch and a company of 31 Punjub. 3 Commando battalion was in the process of arrival. Chittagong presented the weakest link of the overall Pakistani military planning. But this was only for a short while.
9 Division located at Kharian was ordered to move to Dhaka. The Division started arriving Dhaka from April 2. The move was, surprisingly enough, completed by the first week of April. The general officer commanding of the division, Major General Shawkat Reza, on arrival in Dhaka was given his mission. The Division had the task of clearing area from Sylhet down to Chittagong by the end of May. Its 27 Brigade was placed under command 14 Division and was moved to Mymensingh. 313 Brigade was flown to Sylhet where 31 Punjub was already under great pressure. 117 Brigade was sent to Comilla, to replace 53 Brigade, which was ordered to move to Chittagong.
Having taking over the control of Comilla cantonment 117 Brigade began to fan out in battalion columns. 33 Baluch was ordered to recapture Chandpur but it got bogged down on the very outskirts of the cantonment. A similar column was sent to capture Akhaura which also faced with similar fate.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

23 Brigade group stationed at Rangpur-Sayedpur area was given similar missions. 25 Punjub located in the satellite town adjacent to Rajshahi remained under constant pressure. One of its company was sent to Pabna. A company of 26 Frontier Force got surrounded around Dinajpur. 23 Field Regiment moved to capture Bogra. In addition, this brigade had 29 cavalry, two companies of engineers belonging to 10 and 6 Engineer battalions, brigade Signal Company and one field ambulance at Rangpur. With the vast tract of land north of Tista bridge, Dinajpur, Bogra, Pabna and Rajshahi gone to the hands of the liberation forces, the Pakistani brigade group at Rangpur was most unhappily disposed.
The situation was no better in Comilla sector. A task force from Comilla consisting of 24 Frontier Force, detachment of engineers and 88 Mortar battery with 120 millimeter mortars moved to Chittagong at 0100 hours on March 26. This left 53 Brigade weak with only 53 Field Regiment artillery and I Commando battalion for operations in Comilla. 31 Punjub regiment remained strung at Sylhet, which, for all practical purposes, remained cut off from the parent brigade since the crackdown.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

107 Brigade in Jessore was ordered to take over civil administration and all vital installations with Khulna administrative division. In the process this brigade was to disarm Bengalee troops and to arrest all political leaders.
This brigade sent some columns to Khulna and was able to achieve initial success there. Columns sent to the direction of Jhenaidha, Ishurdi and Benapole faced stiff opposition and could not proceed beyond six miles off Jessore. The brigade also sent a column consisting of a company of 27 Baluch to Kushtia which after initial success got completely annihilated by the liberation force of Kushtia. The columns of 25 Baluch got bogged down opposite Benapole. Jessore airport, situated in the middle of the cantonment, was no more a safe place for Pakistani aircraft to land. The brigade seemed to be losing operational control and desperately needed reinforcement to retrieve the situation. On April 18, it received 12 Punjub from Dhaka, a welcome reinforcement.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

All this information I collected from Major General K.M. Safiullah Bir Uttam Psc.
With back to the wall
During initial days of liberation war, vital information of the enemy was not available to us. What little we had, was of no military consequence. News that massive movement of enemy troops and ammunitions of war was in progress since the commencement of non-cooperation movement could help us little. It was merely a vague information and not military intelligence, without which no tactical appreciation was possible, not to speak of a tactical battle. This was one-reason why initially liberation war did not take a co-ordinate shape.
By the second week of April 71 we started getting fairly accurate enemy intelligence, their disposition and movements, through our agents and through those who defected from the Pakistan army.
Eastern Command, in addition to Corps troops, had 14 Division with its full complements of armor and artillery. 57 Brigade, located in Dhaka, was initially allotted the task of clearing Dhaka. It was assisted by a squadron of tanks. In achieving its mission this brigade unleashed itself in the rape of Dhaka.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

The enemy, battalion strength was in occupation of the west bank while the defense of the 8 East Bengal began to fall apart on the east bank. The uncoordinated withdrawal of the advanced position company of the East Pakistan Rifles. allowed the enemy to close in and occupy west bank, resulting in casualties of two officers. Due to enemy superior fire power our position on the east bank became untenable. The battle of Kalurghat thus came to an end. The 8 East Bengal went further into the heart of Chittagong hill tracts in three columns. The major column fought its way to Rangamati under the command of Shawkat. Another column moved to Kaptai under Manfuz. The third column went towards Cox’s Bazar under Khaliquzzaman. They continued to fight disjointedly and ultimately fell back to India to re-group, re-equip and re-organize.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

The fighting in Kalurghat area continued for several days. Ultimately on April 11, the enemy put in a determined attack on our advanced position. The attack had hardly gone in when the enemy was found in possession of the Ispahani building. Our troops on the west bank stayed on to cover he anticipated withdrawal of the advanced position troops. But they were not to be found. Harun got up from his trench to see the situation. Hardly few hundred yards away from his position, the enemy was found stesdily advancing on our position. Soon the bullets started flying all over. Harun got a mortal bullet in his stomach. He fell off. Mahfuz along with one student volunteer, carried Harun across the bridge. The enemy by then was already on our position. Shamsher Mobin was the next officer to be mortally wounded by a point blank shot. There was no time left. He was taken prisoner by the enemy.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

The defense having dug in, the troops were in position by March 30. The company at the advanced position located itself in the Ispahani buildings about a mile to the west bank of the river. Some troops were also located on the west bank as a measure of providing, besides moral support , active physical support to the advance position. Harun, Shamsher Mobin and Lieutenant Mahfuz stayed on the west bank with some troops.
A platoon of 3 commando battalion advanced on Kalurghat and occupied the Agriculture building on Karnaphuli about a mile to the south. It was early morning on March 31, Mahfuz was ordered to dislodge the enemy. He conducted with his platoon a daring raid and successfully captured the building.
The battle of Kalurghat continued sporadically and several times enemy attempts at capturing the bridge were foiled courageously. Shawkat at times took out strong ambush parties himself and always kept the enemy foxed and contained. He carried about himself a style of his own. A strong believer in fire power, he did not hesitate to take out even suicide parties only after he was amply sure that the party had all the fire power at his command.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

The main defense were held by Alpha company on the right, Bravo on the centre and Charlie on the left, commanded respectively by Captain Chowdhury Khaliquzzaman, Lieutenant Shamsher Mobin and Captain Harun Ahmed Chowdhury. The company of the East Pakistan Rifles which was acting as a screen was commanded by a junior commissioned officer.
When the battalion was busy in preparing the defense at Kalurghat to meet the enemy onslaught, Zia anticipating a bigger enemy threat in the offing, crossed over to Sub room in India to seek help from India and some reinforcement from us, the junior officers were holding the fort. At this stage Major Mir Shawkat Ali, the adjutant of the battalion, who was the next senior, was also away on a special mission to Cox’s Bazar. In the absence of any senior officers, the junior officers were preparing to fight a defensive battle at Kalurghat. Shawkat however, returned on 9 April. Since Zia did not return till then, Shawkat took control of the operation at Kalurghat.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

8 East Bengal Regiment supported by one company of East Pakistan Rifles took up a strong defensive position on Kalurghat on the Karnaphuli-Cox’s Bazar highway. The battalion headquarter was established at Gomdandi, a village in the neighborhood of Kalurghat.
The defense at Kalurghat was organized with three companies of 8 East Bengal on the eastern bank of Karnaphuli and one company of the East Pakistan Rifles on the Western bank. This company had the role of an advanced position, to pass back information of the enemy, make contact, inflict casualty with a view to delaying the enemy, and finally to fall back on the eastern bank through the Kalurghat bridge.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

The Battle of kalurghat
In the afternoon of March 26, a manned light machine gun propped up form the MV SWAT facing the recruits and men from 8 East Bengal Regiment who were brought there for unloading the ship, were lined up on the jetty number 17. The machine gun opened up and they were killed brutally. Six or seven of them escaped this brutal killing by jumping into the river Karnaphuli.
On March 28 one platoon of regulars, commanded by Lieutenant Shamsher Mobin and another platoon of East Pakistan Rifles commanded by Captain Harun were told to take up defensive position near Chawk Bazar area. Defensive position was ready by March 29. By that time Pakistan army put in the first attack on the evening of March 29, this attack was repulsed by our troops. The fighting in the city became so intensive that on April 1, our position in the city had to be abandoned and the troops fell back to Kalurghat the same night. The battalion headquarters was established nearby.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

The ambush at kumira was laid by about 100 men from the East Pakistan Rifles and some police. This operation was led by Captain M. Subed Ali Bhuyan, on the first night, in which the commanding officer of 24 Frontier Force, Lieutenant Colonel Shapoor Khan ruoured to have got killed and with him 152 other ranks also lost their lives. Bhuyan, for reasons best known to him discreetly left Kumira leaving is men to their fate on that very night. There was also a hot rumour that Shapoor was shot and killed on the very first day of the crack down by the brigade Major Sultan, as he did not approve of the Pakistan army action, and was opposed to the killing of the rear party personnel of 4 East Bengal. The rumours apart, two truckloads of ammunition were captured by our troops. On our side, we lost 14 gallant soldiers.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Ambush at Kumira
News had it that a column consisting of 24 Frontier Force regiment and 88 Motar battery of 120 milimetre mortars was moving fast towards Chittagong under the command of Brigadier Iqbal Shafi, Commander 53 Brigade of Comilla. The Pakistan army column advanced steadily, unopposed barring some unprotected road block, the column had a smooth sailing all the way through. By 5 p.m. the column got across Shuvapur bridge in safety. Kumira defile lay ahead with no apparent sign of life where the enemy column stopped as usual to clear just another road block the like of which they had faced all the way through. It was 7-15 p.m. suddenly Kumira burst out with life. Heavy machine gun and mortar fire was brought to bear on the enemy. The enemy was taken by complete surprise. For a few minutes they were alarmed and baffled. Leaving a good number of casualties in dead and wounded they took up position and began to return fire. This continued for good two hours after which the battle field was covered with a blanket of still quietness.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

He further said, “We shall not die like cats and dogs but shall die as worthy citizens of Bangla Ma. Personal of the East Bengal Regiment, the East Pakistan Rifles and the entire police force had surrounded West Pakistani troops in Chittagong, Comilla, Sylhet, Jessore, Barisal and Khulna. Heavy fighting was continuing”.
This significant announcement had a salutary effect all over the country as well as abroad. All those fighting their individual and isolated battles got a moral boost that they were not alone in the struggle, others also took up arms and are fighting.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

As the battalion began to gather strength, in the afternoon of March 28. Major Zia made another announcement from the “Shawadhin Bangla Betar Kendra established at Kalurghat. The announcement reads as follows:
“I major Zia, provisional commander-in chief of the Bangladesh liberation army, hereby proclaim, on behalf of “Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the independence on Bangladesh”.
“I also declare, we have already formed a sovereign, legal government under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman which pledges to function as per law and the constitution”.
“The new democratic government is committed to a policy of non-alignment in international relations. It will seek friendship with all nations and strive for international peace”.
“I appeal to all governments to mobilize public opinion in their respective countries against the brutal genocide in Bangladesh”.
The government under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is sovereign legal government of Bangladesh and is entitled to recognition from all democratic nations of the world”.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Thereafter, he distributed 350 troops of East Pakistan Rifles to various task forces under command of an officer each. These task forces were meant tor the city. The whole city of Chittagong was divided into various sectors and each sector was given to a task force. Having made all these arrangements, major Zia made his first announcement of the radio on March 27. In this announcement apart from saying that they were fighting against Pakistan army he also declared himself as the head of the state. This of course, could have been a result of tension and confusion of the moment.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Declaration of Ziaur Rahman:
Having settled his score with his commanding officer on the night of March 25/26, Mr, Rahman decided to take his battalion on the outskirts of the city to re-organize, strengthen and then launch a decisive blow on Chittagong. All troops were collected at a place near Patiya.
17 Wing of the East Pakistan Rifles from Kaptai on their way to join Mr. Rafiq(Army officer) in the city was intercepted by Major Zia at 0800 hours on March 26. They were then incorporated within his force. All the troops then took an oath of allegiance to Bangladesh. The oath was administered by Major Zia at 1600 hours on March 26.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

When Pakistan army attacked Bangladesh that means night of 25 March that time leader of Bangladesh “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman took an important decision and he send everywhere that message through telephone. 26 March, 1971 the leader of Awamilig M.A. Hannan declears the message of Bangabandhu. That message was:
The Pakistan army has attacked police lines at Rajarbagh and East Pakistan Rifles Headquarters at Pilkhana at midnight. Gather strength to resist and prepare for a “War of Independence”.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

No international action was taken against the perpetrators of this most barbarous genocide according to UNO convention on genocide and the universal declaration of Human Rights. The genocide continued till the surrender of the Pakistan army on 16 December, 1971 and we got our independence.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

In containing the freedom fighters the Pakistan government had raised paramilitary forces with the designations of “RAZAKAR”, AL-BADAR and AL-SHAMS. These forces joined the army in killing and terrorizing the people. Many people, including intellectuals of the country were lifted by them for interrogation and only a few of them returned home. All these savageries were resorted to for exterminating the “MUKTI BAHINI” and their supporters.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Initially, the world could hardly know the extent of genocide due to very strong press censorship. However, from July 1971 foreign electronic and print media started reporting various aspects and ramifications of the genocide. The United Nations also expressed their deep concern about the holocaust.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Soon the Pakistan army spread out into the remotest parts of the country. In retaliation the Bengali nationalists began to organize resistance with effect from 26 March following the declaration of independence of Bangladesh. This further intensified the military action of Pakistan government. In effect, the Pakistan army started an undeclared war against the unarmed civilians of Bangladesh. The Pakistan armed forces used warplanes and gunships to contain the nationalist forces. Men, women and children of hundreds of villages, cities and towns were killed and maimed indiscriminately. Ironing, raping, and looting knew no limit. Out of fear and intimidation millions of Bengalis left their home and took shelter in various refugee camps set up by the Government of India along the border areas.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Pakistan forces surrounded Dhaka city with tanks and other military vehicles. Truck loads of army men spread out through the city streets for stamping out all civil resistance. At midnight, the Dhaka University halls of residences and staff quarters were attacked with tanks and armored vehicles. A number of teachers, students and officials were killed. Many buildings including some newspaper offices were battered with mortar shells. Many people were burnt alive in the houses set on fire. Various parts of old Dhaka, including Hindu majority Mohall’s such as Shankhari Patti and Tantibazar came under mortar shells. Hundreds of inmates were gunned down. It was estimated that more than 50,000 men, women and children were killed in Dhaka, Chittagong, Jessore, Mymensingh, kushtia and other cities within the first three days of the genocide beginning from 25 March 1971. This was termed as Operation Searchlight.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Genocide started with the army crackdown at midnight of 25 March 1971. The army cordoned PEELKHANA, the headquarters of the EAST PAKISTAN RIFLES (EPR), Rajarbagh police barracks, and the ANSAR headquarters at khilgoan. More than 800 EPR men were first disarmed and arrested and many of them were brutally killed. A few hundred of them, however, managed to escape and later joined the liberation forces.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Liberation War of Bangladesh

The indefinite postponement of the scheduled National Assembly (due to be held on 3 March 197 at Dhaka) and the failure of the military government of General Yahiya to transfer power to the widespread public resentment in East Pakistan. Protest demonstration was held in Dhaka. Chittagong and most other cities. The army resorted to open fire on demonstration crowds in different cities and towns. The civil disobedience movement was organized all over the country. The government lost grip on the administration.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Genocide, 1971 mass killing of Bangladesh people by Pakistan army and their collaborators during the “WAR OF LIBERATION” in 1971. No definite survey has yet been made to ascertain the exact number of people killed by the Pakistan army. Immediately after the War of Liberation, it was estimated to be as high as three million. The genocide committed by the Pakistan army is one of the worst holocausts in world history.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

If you tell the story of Liberation War of Bangladesh, you must mention the bravery and far sightedness of “Tajuddin Ahmed, Syed Nazrul Islam, Captain Kamrujjaman, General Ataul Gani Osmani and many others.
Three million people were massacred by the Pakistani military and local collaborators. Hundreds of thousands of women were raped. Village after village, town after town, were burned to the ground. There were dead bodies lying in every plain and floating in every river. There was hardly any family who did not lose something in this War.
At the very end, facing an imminent defeat, the coward Pakistani military and the local collaborators (mostly, Jamat-e-Islami cadars) systematically killed many of the leading intellectuals of the country. These War criminals have never faced justice for crime against the humanity. We should raise conscience among the people of the world to try these criminals. If we forget, as Ely Weasel depicted, “we are guilty, we are accomplices”.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a beautiful and independent country. Bangladesh got independence in 26th March, 1971. Before independence we were people of East Pakistan. The nine month War of liberation waged by the people of Bangladesh in 1971will for ever remain recorded as one of the most glorious history in world. The sovereign and independent people of Republic of Bangladesh, as it stands today, is the outcome of an arduous struggle of the people under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The liberation War did not start overnight. It had been brewing for 23 years. Ever since the birth of Pakistan in August 1947, the Bengalese first felt ignored in the scheme of the country’s governance and gradually found them deprived and exploited by the power elite dominated by the West Pakistani bureaucrats, the military and the big businesses.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Liberation War is the most precious history of Bangladesh. Our liberation War was against Pakistan in 1971. This was the first time we fought for the recognition as a distinct nation. The endless bloodshed and struggle for centuries came to an end with the maturation rise of “Bangabandhu” Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of the country and the architect of the nation.

The Liberation War and the independence was not an act of single person or event. Rafiq, Saalam, Barkat, Jabbar and many others gave their life during the Language Movement of 1952. Many were imprisoned and killed protesting Ayub khan’s military rules: 6 point of movement of 1966, mass uprising of 1969 etc.Finally “Bangabandhu” asked his people to raise arms against Pakistani military who killed hundred of people during the peaceful protests of the 1971.