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Mukti Bahini
Liberation Army
LeadersM. A. G. Osmani, Ziaur Rahman, Khaled Mosharraf, K M Shafiullah, Abu Taher, Chitta Ranjan Dutta, Quazi Nuruzzaman, Abul Manzoor, A K Khandker, Kader Siddique
Dates of operationApril-December 1971
Group(s)Bangladesh Armed Forces, Z Force, K Force, Mujib Bahini, Kader Bahini, Hemayet Bahini,
HeadquartersCalcutta, Sylhet, Agartala
Active regionsBangladesh
IdeologyNationalism, secularism, democracy, socialism
AlliesIndia
OpponentsPakistan
Battles and warsBattle of Gazipur, Battle of Goalhati, Battle of Garibpur, Dhalai outpost battle, Rangamati-Mahalchari waterway battle, Operation Barisal

The Mukti Bahini (Template:Lang-bn meaning Liberation Army) were the guerilla and regular armed forces of Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan. The Mukti Bahini was officially formed in April 1971, under General M. A. G. Osmani as chief military commander in the Provisional Government of Bangladesh. It consisted of defecting Bengali regiments from the Pakistani military and paramilitary, as well as thousands of Bengali civilians, particularly students and political activists.

With the outbreak of the liberation war on 26 March 1971, cantonments and police bases across East Pakistan were raided by Bengali forces. These raids lead to the release of a substantial arms supply for the Bengali guerilla force, which took shape in the following weeks. As Pakistani forces continued to commit wide scale atrocities and suppression against Bengali political and civil society, the Mukti Bahini received extensive military training and support from the Indian government and armed forces. Many of its battalions were raised in the Indian states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Tripura.

The guerilla resistance force achieved signfiicant success in the initial months of the war, when Pakistani forces struggled to assert control over much of East Pakistani territory. It continued a sustained assault on military and government installations; and regularly ambushed Pakistani forces. The Mukti Bahini has been compared to the Viet Cong and the French Maquis for its use of guerilla warfare and sabotage. It controlled the countryside during the war, as Pakistani forces were often unable to venture out from cantonments and urban areas, especially during the night.

The Mukti Bahini became part of the Bangladesh-India Allied Forces in the December campaign. Together with Indian forces, it achieved spectacular success in defeating the Pakistan Army.

Several militia factions of the Mukti Bahini committed atrocities against Urdu-speaking civilians during the war and its aftermath. For example, the Kader Bahini attacked Bihari civilians in Dhaka in an act of revenge. However, these militias rivaled the authority of the Bangladeshi leadership, and were known to be outside their command.

Formation

The Mukti Bahini consisted of Bengali military and paramilitary personnel (including entire regiments which defected from the Pakistan Armed Forces) and thousands of Bengali civilians (including people from a cross section of society, especially youth) in response to the Operation Searchlight on March 25, 1971.

Organization

When the Pakistan Army started the military crackdown on the Bengali population, they did not expect a prolonged resistance. But a large number of Bengali members of the East Bengal Regiments (EBR), East Pakistan Rifles (EPR, later BDR, BGB), police, other paramilitary forces, students and other civilians started resistance against the Pakistan Army. With the formation of Bangladesh government on 17 April 1971, Colonel M. A. G. Osmani (later General) was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of all Bangladesh Forces. The members of EBR, EPR, police and other paramilitary forces were later called "regular force" or "niomito bahini".

During a conference of sector commanders held from 11 to 17 July 1971 held at Kolkata, the forces were further organized and the command was set up with Col. Abdullah as the commander-in-chief (C-in-C) with the status of a cabinet minister, Lt. Col., Mubariz Ali(ex-SSG Commando Pakistan Army) as the Chief of Staff (COS), Group Captain A K Khandker as the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) and Major A R Chowdhury as the Assistant Chief of Staff (ACOS). Bangladesh was divided into eleven sectors. Sector commanders were in charge of conducting guerrilla operations and training fighters. The 10th Sector was under the command of C-in-C Osmany and included the Naval Commandos and C-in-C's special force.

During this conference some major initiatives were taken to organize the Mukti Bahini. This meeting was focused to discuss different problems and future course of action. In this conference Lt. Col. M A Rabb was appointed the Chief-of-staff and Group Captain A K Khandaker was appointed the Deputy Chief-of-staff. The important issues that were discussed during this conference are:

  1. Define the boundary of different sectors
  2. Organize guerrilla warfare by the following ways:
    • A group of 5-10 trained fighters would be sent inside Bangladesh with specific instructions
    • Guerrilla fighters will be classified as:
    • Guerrilla base: each base would provide food, medicine and accommodation of the guerrilla fighters.
      • Action group: members of this group would take part in frontal attacks, 50~100% of them would carry arms
      • Intelligence: members of this group would gather enemy information, they would not take part in frontal attacks, 30% of them would carry arms
  3. The regular force would be immediately organized as battalion force and sector troops.
  4. Military attacks against the enemy would be carried out by the following ways:
    • A large number of guerrilla fighters would be sent inside Bangladesh to carry out raid and ambush at every convenient places
    • Industries would be shut down by disrupting electric supply
    • Pakistanis would not be allowed to export any raw materials or manufactured goods and the warehouse would be destroyed
    • The railways and boats used to carry enemy soldiers and enemy military instruments would be destroyed
    • The war strategy should be to force the enemy to disperse
    • After dispersing the enemy the smaller groups would be attacked by the guerrilla fighters

Besides the eleven sectors, the combatants were also divided and reorganized into several groups:

  • Regular army battalion ("niomito bahini", নিয়মিত বাহিনী)
  • Sector troops
  • Irregular force or freedom fighters ("oniomito bahini", অনিয়মিত বাহিনী)

In addition, some independent forces fought in various regions of Bangladesh. These included the Mujib Bahini, organized by Major General Oban of the Indian Army and Student League leaders Serajul Alam Khan, Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani, Kazi Arif Ahmed, Abdur Razzak, Tofael Ahmed, A. S. M. Abdur Rab, Shahjahan Siraj, Nur E Alam Siddiqi, and Abdul Quddus Makhon and the Kaderia Bahini under Kader Siddique of Tangail. Kaderia Bahini also created a volunteer group to help his Bahini. Some other groups of freedom fighters were controlled by the Leftist parties and groups including the NAP and Communist Parties. A strong guerrilla force led by Siraj Sikder fought several battles with the Pakistani soldiers in Payarabagan, Barisal. Three brigades were created by Ziaur Rahman, Khaled Mosharraf and K M Shafiullah by the name of Z-force, K-force and S-force. A young guerrilla group named "Crack Platoon" did some courageous guerrilla attacks in the Dhaka city that attracted several international media at that time.

List of Sectors and Subsectors

Main article: List of sectors in Bangladesh Liberation War

During the Liberation war, Bangladesh was geographically divided into eleven areas known as sectors. Each sector had sector commander who coordinated the military operations through sub-sector commanders. The sector commanders were officers of Pakistan army who joined Mukti Bahini. Table below lists all the sectors and sector commanders with their sub-commanders and geographical locations.

Sectors of Bangladesh Liberation War
Sector Area Sector Commander Sub Sectors (Commanders)
1 Chittagong District, Chittagong Hill Tracts, and the entire eastern area of the Noakhali District on the banks of the river Muhuri. The headquarters of the sector was at Harina. • Major Ziaur Rahman (April 10, 1971 – June 25, 1971)
• Captain Rafiqul Islam (June 28, 1971 – February 14, 1972)
  1. Rishimukh (Captain Shamsul Islam);
  2. Sreenagar (Captain Matiur Rahman, Captain Mahfuzur Rahman);
  3. Manughat (Captain Mahfuzur Rahman);
  4. Tabalchhari (Sergeant Ali Hossain); and
  5. Dimagiri (Army Sergeant, name unknown to date).
2 Districts of Dhaka, Comilla, and Faridpur, and part of Noakhali District. • Major Khaled Mosharraf (April 10, 1971 – September 22, 1971)
• Major ATM Haider (Sector Commander September 22, 1971 – February 14, 1972)
  1. Gangasagar, Akhaura and Kasba (Mahbub, Lieutenant Farooq, and Lieutenant Humayun Kabir);
  2. Mandabhav (Captain Abdul hamid);
  3. Shalda-nadi (Mahmud Hasan);
  4. Matinagar (Lieutenant Didarul Alam);
  5. Nirbhoypur (Captain Akbar, Lieutenant Mahbub); and
  6. Rajnagar (Captain Jafar Imam, Captain Shahid, and Lieutenant Imamuzzaman)
3 Area between Churaman Kathi (near Sreemangal) and Sylhet in the north and Singerbil of Brahmanbaria in the south. • Major K. M. Shafiullah (April 10, 1971 – July 21, 1971)
• Captain ANM Nuruzzaman (July 23, 1971 – February 14, 1972)
  1. Asrambari (Captain Aziz, Captain Ejaz);
  2. Baghaibari (Captain Aziz, Captain Ejaz);
  3. Hatkata (Captain Matiur Rahman);
  4. Simla (Captain Matin);
  5. Panchabati (Captain Nasim);
  6. Mantala (Captain MSA Bhuyan);
  7. Vijoynagar (Captain MSA Bhuyan);
  8. Kalachhora (Lieutenant Majumdar);
  9. Kalkalia (Lieutenant Golam Helal Morshed); and
  10. Bamutia (Lieutenant Sayeed)
4 Area from Habiganj District on the north to Kanaighat Police Station on the south along the 100 mile long border with India. The headquarters of the sector was initially at Karimganj and later at Masimpur. • Major Chittarajan Datta (April 10, 1971 – February 14, 1972)
• Captain A Rab
  1. Jalalpur (Mahbubur Rob Sadi);
  2. Barapunji (Captain A Rab & Lieutenant Amirul Haque Chowdhury);
  3. Amlasid (Lieutenant Zahir);
  4. Kukital (Flight Lieutenant Kader, Captain Shariful Haq);
  5. Kailas Shahar (Lieutenant Wakiuzzaman); and Fazlul Haque Chowdhury EX EPR(from April'71 - August '71)
  6. Kamalpur (Captain Enam)
5 Area from Durgapur to Dawki (Tamabil) of Sylhet District and the entire area up to the eastern borders of the district. The headquarters of the sector was at Banshtala. • Major Mir Shawkat Ali (April 10, 1971 – February 14, 1972)
  1. Muktapur (Captain Qazi Faruq Ahmed, Subsector Commander, 16 June 1971 till 1 February 1972; Subedar Mujibur Rahman, Second in Command; Nayeb Subedar Nazir Hussain, Admin in charge(non-combatant))
  2. Dawki (Subedar Major BR Chowdhury, (non-combatant));
  3. Shela (Captain Helal);
  4. Bholaganj (Lieutenant Taheruddin Akhunji);
  5. Balat (Sergeant Ghani, Captain Salahuddin and Enamul Haq Chowdhury); and
  6. Barachhara (Captain Muslim Uddin).
  7. Captain Abdul Mutalib was in charge of Sangram Punji (Jaflong) until 10 May 1971
6 Rangpur District and part of Dinajpur District. The headquarters of the sector was at Burimari near Patgram. • Wing Commander M Khademul Bashar (April 1971 – February 14, 1972)
  1. Bhajanpur (Captain Nazrul, Flight Lieutenant Sadruddin and Captain Shahriyar);
  2. Patgram (initially divided between junior commissioned officers of the EPR and later taken hold by Captain Matiur Rahman);
  3. Sahebganj (Captain Nawazesh Uddin);
  4. Phulbari, Kurigram (Captain Abul Hossain)
  5. Mogalhat (Captain Delwar); and
  6. Chilahati (Flight Lieutenant Iqbal)
7' Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogra and part of Dinajpur District. The headquarters of the sector was at Taranngapur. • Major Nazmul Huq (April 10 – August 20, 1971)
• Major Quazi nooruzzaman (August 21 – February 14, 1972)
• Subedar Major A Rab
  1. Malan (initially divided between junior commissioned officers and later taken hold by Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir);
  2. Tapan (Major Nazmul Huq, also commanded by commanding officers of the EPR);
  3. Mehdipur (Subedar Iliyas, Captain Mahiuddin Jahangir);
  4. Hamzapur (Captain Idris);
  5. Anginabad (unnamed freedom fighter);
  6. Sheikhpara (Captain Rashid);
  7. Thokrabari (Subedar Muazzam); and
  8. Lalgola (Captain Gheyasuddin Chowdhury).
8 In April 1971, the operational area of the sector comprised the districts of Kushtia, Jessore, Khulna, Barisal, Faridpur and Patuakhali. At the end of May the sector was reconstituted and comprised the districts of Kuhstia, Jessore, Khulna, Satkhira and the northern part of Faridpur district. The headquarters of the sector was at Benapole. • Major Abu Osman Chowdhury (April 10 – July 17, 1971)
• Major Abul Manzoor (August 14, 1971 – February 14, 1972)
  1. Boyra (Captain Khondakar Nazmul Huda);
  2. Hakimpur (Captain Shafiq Ullah);
  3. Bhomra (Captain Salahuddin, Captain Shahabuddin);
  4. Lalbazar (Captain AR Azam Chowdhury);
  5. Banpur (Captain Mostafizur Rahman);
  6. Benapole (Captain Abdul Halim, Captain Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury); and
  7. Shikarpur (Captain Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Lieutenant Jahangir).
9 Barisal, Patuakhali, and parts of the district of Khulna and Faridpur. • Major M A Jalil (July 17 – December 24, 1971)
• Major MA Manzur
• Major Joynal Abedin
  1. Taki;
  2. Hingalganj; and
  3. Shamshernagar.
10 This sector was constituted with the naval commandos. • Commander HQ BD Forces (December 3–16, 1971) None.
11 Mymensingh and Tangail along with parts of Rangpur - Gaibandha, Ulipur, Kamalpur and Chilmari. The headquarters of the sector was at Teldhala until October 10, then transferred to Mahendraganj. • Major Ziaur Rahman (June 26, 1971 – October 10, 1971;
• Major Abu Taher (October 10, 1971 – November 2, 1971;
• Squadron Leader M. Hamidullah Khan) (November 2, 1971 – February 14, 1972)

From October 10 until November 2, 1971, Major Abu Taher was temporarily appointed to this Sector as Major Zia was abruptly ordered to move with his Brigade to Sylhet Region. Due to accidental injury he suffered in his leg, he was transferred to Pune, India for treatment)

  1. Mankarchar (Squadron Leader M. Hamidullah Khan);
  2. Mahendraganj (Major Abu Taher; Lieutenant Mannan);
  3. Purakhasia (Lieutenant Hashem);
  4. Dhalu (Lieutenant Taher; Lieutenant Kamal);
  5. Rangra (Matiur Rahman)
  6. Shivabari (divided between junior commissioned officers of the EPR);
  7. Bagmara (divided between junior commissioned officers of the EPR); and
  8. Maheshkhola (a member of the EPR).

Awards given to Mukti Bahini sepoys

Main articles: Bir Sreshtho, Bir Uttom, Bir Bikrom, and Bir Protik

The Bir Sreshtho (Template:Lang-bn) (The Most Valiant Hero), is the highest award given to those who show utmost bravery and die in action for their nation. It was awarded to seven Mukti Bahini fighters. They were:

  1. Ruhul Amin
  2. Mohiuddin Jahangir
  3. Mostafa Kamal
  4. Hamidur Rahman
  5. Munshi Abdur Rouf
  6. Nur Mohammad Sheikh
  7. Matiur Rahman

The other three gallantry awards are, in decreasing order of importance, Bir Uttom, Bir Bikrom and Bir Protik. All of these awards were introduced immediately after the Liberation War in 1971.

Militias

The Mukti Bahini's central command were annoyed at the formation of militias like the Mujib Bahini and Kader Bahini, which were supported by Indian intelligence services. These militias consisted of radical left-wing cadres. They became a parallel force and operated outside the command of the provisional government and the military leadership. These militias were also responsible for ruthless revenge attacks against Urdu-speaking civilians.

Dissolution

On 16 December 1971, the allied forces of the Mukti Bahini and the Indian army defeated the Pakistan Army deployed in the East. The resulting surrender was the largest in number of prisoners of war since World War II. Mukti Bahini was succeeded by the Bangladesh Armed Forces.

References

  1. ^ Jahan, Rounaq (1 February 1973). "Bangladesh in 1972: Nation Building in a New State". Asian Survey. 13 (2): 31. doi:10.2307/2642736.
  2. Eyal Benvenisti (23 February 2012). The International Law of Occupation. Oxford University Press. pp. 189–. ISBN 978-0-19-163957-9. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  3. https://books.google.com.bd/books?id=wmVwhDYHgBkC&pg=PA212&dq=mukti+bahini&hl=en&sa=X&ei=tnmmVOL5GsqKuASpnoF4&ved=0CBoQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=mukti%20bahini&f=false
  4. http://www.cdrb.org/journal/2008/4/1.pdf
  5. https://books.google.com.bd/books?id=wmVwhDYHgBkC&pg=PA212&dq=Mukti+Bahini&hl=en&sa=X&ei=61mmVLbYPI2MuATov4DgCQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Mukti%20Bahini&f=false
  6. http://www.cdrb.org/journal/2008/4/1.pdf
  7. https://books.google.com.bd/books?id=4SBWc27AVmwC&pg=PA226&lpg=PA226&dq=mukti+bahini+guerillas&source=bl&ots=2zf9xjrHmW&sig=rdu6JemrPPCPQzGByj1xdsSGrsw&hl=bn&sa=X&ei=DVmmVOaaDZSQuQTx54HwBg&ved=0CD0Q6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=mukti%20bahini%20guerillas&f=false
  8. https://books.google.com.bd/books?id=XM5oZYYvEmYC&pg=PA244&lpg=PA244&dq=mukti+bahini+guerillas&source=bl&ots=tDMRInqAUi&sig=gpvrd4wrsC-x8fx0wHLYioZHXdQ&hl=bn&sa=X&ei=DVmmVOaaDZSQuQTx54HwBg&ved=0CEIQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=mukti%20bahini%20guerillas&f=false
  9. Pakistan Defence Journal, 1977, Vol 2, p2-3
  10. Islam, Major Rafiqul, A Tale of Millions,pp226 – pp231
  11. Bangladesh Liberation Armed Force, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh.
  12. ^ Islam, Rafikul (1981). লক্ষ প্রাণের বিনিময়ে / Lokkho praner binimoye. মনিরুল হক, অনন্যা/Anannya. Cite error: The named reference "lokkho" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  13. Rahman, Hasan Hafizur (1984). বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ, দলিলপত্রঃ দশম খণ্ড / HISTORY OF BANGLADESH WAR OF INDEPENDENCE DOCUMENTS, VOL-10. Hakkani Publishers. pp. 1–3. ISBN 984-433-091-2.
  14. Siddiki, Kader (2004). Shadhinota '71. Anannya / অনন্যা. pp. 550–552. ISBN 984412039X.
  15. Alam, Habibul (2010). Brave of heart. APPL / এপিপিএল. ISBN 9840802011.
  16. List of Sectors in Bangladesh Liberation War
  17. List of Liberation War Sectors and Sector Commanders of Bangladesh (Gazette Notification No.8/25/D-1/72-1378). Ministry of Defence, Government of Bangladesh. December 15, 1973.
  18. Documents of the War of Independence (Vol 01–16). Government of Bangladesh.
  19. M. Hamidullah Khan. Bangladesh, Ekatture Uttar Ronangaon (1971 Northern Front), - Factual War Accounts (in Bangla). Sector Commander 11, War of Independence: Barnatoru.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  20. The Bangladesh Gazette, 15 December 1973.
  21. https://books.google.com.bd/books?id=wmVwhDYHgBkC&pg=PA212&dq=mukti+bahini&hl=en&sa=X&ei=tnmmVOL5GsqKuASpnoF4&ved=0CBoQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=mukti%20bahini&f=false
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Ayub, Muhammad (2005). An Army, its Role and Rule: A History of the Pakistan Army from Independence to Kargil 1947–1999. Pittsburgh: RoseDog Books. ISBN 0-8059-9594-3.

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