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.
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