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BANGLADESH MILITARY ACADEMY
MILITARY HISTORY
CHAPTER 6
RAISING HISTORY OF BANGLADESH ARMY
‘‘You don't change the course of history by turning the faces of portraits to the wall’’
-Jawaharlal Nehru
References:
A. Bangladesh Army –Pictorial Magazine 2000.
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Introduction
1. The people of this land have made innumerable sacrifices over generations in an
endless pursuit of freedom. For them independence has been an article of faith, deeply
ingrained in their national psyche. During the long stretches of colonial domination, the
Bengalees kept up their struggle for independence. The colonial rulers always viewed the
Bengaless with suspicion and aversion. They could never accept the Bengalee youths
within their military establishments. But from time to time a few would be recruited mostly in
the lower ranks. Bengalee members of the Indian Armed Forces under the British rule
demonstrated a rare brand of heroism and bravery in the 1 st and 2nd World Wars. After the
partition of India in 1947, the Pakistani authorities began to show a similar antagonism and
attitude towards the Bengalee community. But this attitude did not stand on the way of
legendary performances by valiant Bengalees. Even with the token presence in the
Pakistan Army, the Bengalee soldiers created history by their exemplary courage and
valour in the Indo Pak War of 1965. The year 1971 saw the Bengalees in their finest glory.
Bengalees proved that although they were peace loving people, they could also rise to
defend themselves whenever there was an attack on them and also take the fight on the
enemy’s territory. However 21 st November 1971 is considered to be the Armed Forces Day
since from this day all three services started functioning against the enemy.
Aim
2. To appraise the cadets about the raising history of Bangladesh Army.
Enabling Objectives
3. The enabling objectives are:
a. To learn the historic background of Bangladesh Army.
b. To learn the foundation scenario of various Arms and Services.
c. To learn the significance of 21st November.
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Background
4. General. On the 15th February 1948, the most glorious chapter of our military
history was initiated. On this day, the East Bengal Regiment was raised at Kurmitola,
Dhaka under the prudent leadership of late Major Abdul Ghani. Prior to this two pioneer
companies of Bengali Muslims had earned wide acclaim for their bravery during the World
War II both in British India and abroad. Subsequently these two companies laid the
foundation of the East Bengal Regiment. This historic organ is now one of the vital organs
of Bangladesh Army. Not single Armour, Engineers, Signals, Ordnance, Supply and
Transport or Electric and Mechanical Engineering unit was in existence when the country
emerged as a free nation. There was no military institution other than the East Bengal
Regimental Center where only the infantry soldiers could be trained.
5. Initial Organization and Resistance. Prior to the War of Liberation, most
of the Bengalee officers and men of the armed forces and other Para-military forces in East
Pakistan were quite aware of overall political situation and they mentally prepared
themselves to meet any unforeseen. There were five battalions of the East Bengal
Regiment located in East Pakistan. East Bengal Regimental Center (EBRC) at Natunpara
Cantonment in Chittagong had about 2500 recruits. Besides these front liners, 4% to 5%
Bengalee representation was there in all non-infantry units and headquarter. Immediately
following the army, there were 17 wings of East Pakistan Rifles (EPR) and these were
mostly composed of Bengalee personnel. Strength of police force was about 20,000.
Initially the army crackdown was aimed at the elimination of the Bengalee first line troops,
EPR and the police force. On the night of 26 March, the Pakistan Army made an onslaught
simultaneously on EBRC. EPR Headquarter at PilKhana, Rajarbag Police Line, Chittagong
Police Line and on Sardah Police Training College. The surprise attack on them in the grab
of darkness led to the killing of a sizeable number of men. The rest made good their escape
and swelled the ranks of freedom fighters. Similarly there were many Ansars of remote
villages joined the Liberation War collecting 303 rifles from different thanas of subdivisions.
These second line forces initially fought the conventional war under the military leaders. In
course of time the conventional war was converted into guerilla warfare where the people of
all walks of life participated. As potential officers of Bangladesh Army, the Cadets are
required to know at length about the progress of the Liberation War. Now we will discuss in
subsequent paragraphs, the initial resistance by the Bengalee troops in different parts of
the country and how the armed struggle grew up.
6. Initial Resistance in Chittagong. The youngest of the Tiger Family, the 8th
battalion of the East Bengal Regiment was located at Sholashahar, Chittagong. Major Ziaur
Rahman was second in command of this battalion. Tension mounted in the EBRC and in
the 8th East Bengal Regiment. Hundreds of recruits of EBRC including its Chief Instructor
Lieutenant Colonel M R Chowdhury were killed. At this critical juncture, Major Ziaur
Rahman took over the leadership of Bengalee forces at Chittagong. Captain Rafiq and
Captain Harun with EPR troops joined Major Zia on 27 March. Major Zia’s force gave a
series of heroic battles and caused immense damage to Pakistan Army. By early May,
Major Zia’s forces withdraw to Ramgahr for reorganizing and regrouping.
7. Initial Resistance in Comilla. 4 East Bengal was sent to Brahmanbaria prior
to 26 March, on the plea of Internal Security (IS) duties. On 27 March, the Bengalee
soldiers of the unit arrested the Pakistani Commanding Officer and the second-in-command
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Major Khaled Kusharraf assumed command of the unit. The brave soldiers of this unit
organized stiff resistance in different parts of greater Comilla throughout April. The first BIR
SRESTHO, highest award for gallantry was posthumously awarded to Sepoy Mohammad
Mustafa Kamal of this battalion who died a marty’s death on 17th April. By the last week of
April, 4 East Bengal withdrew to the border areas.
8. Initial Resistance in Dhaka. The historic place of Joydebpur was turned in to a
citadel and garrisoned the 2nd battalion of the East Bengal Regiment popularly known as
Junior Tigers. The battalion was decimated in strength by sending out on company at
Tangail, one at Mymansing and another at Gazipur. While the rest of the battalion was at
Joydebpur, on the night of 28 March the battalion broke away under the leadership of
Second-in-Command Major K M Shafiullah. The battalion moved to Mymansing where it
was joined by EPR troops and many volunteer freedom fighters. Battalion Headquarter was
established at Kisorgonj Major Safiullah decided to launch an offensive on Dhaka and
moved his battalion to Narshingdi via Bhirab. At Narsingdi the Pakistan gave a stiff
resistance and 2 E Bengal could not advance further. The next battle was fought on the
eastern bank of river Maghna at Ashugonj under the leadership of Captain ASM Nasim,
(former CAS of Bangladesh Army and retd as Lt Gen). On 17 April the Pakistanis attacked
the position with the support of Naval Gun Boats and hele borne troops and al timely
managed to capture Asugonj. It is during this battle that our former Chief was severely
injured. There after 2 E Bengal first withdraw to Madhabpur and finally to the tea gardens of
Taliapara, meanwhile the battle was re-grouped and re-organized. Major Najrul Islam was
made Second-in-Command and Lt Ibrahim (later retd as Maj Gen) became its adjutent.
9. Initial Resistance in South-Western Sector. In this sector, Major Abu Osman
Chowdhury organized the liberation forces mainly with the elements of 4 Wing EPR at
Chuadanga, The 1 East Bengal, popularly known as Senior Tigers, was located at Jessore
and was out on winter Collective Training. The Bengalee Commanding Officer Lieutenant
Colonel Rezaul Jalil, though was aware of the situation could not decide and when ordered
by the Brigade Commander returned to the cantonment on 29 March. The Senior Tigers
then realized that they have made a blunder. Still the Commanding Officer appeared
indecisive, extremely panicky and flabbergasted. The battalion was attacked and shelled on
30 March. At this, the battalion fought its way out of the cantonment through Khitaibdia
under the leadership of Lieutenant Hafizuddin. The Bengalee troops of the 1 Field
Ambulance also rose and moved out along the Senior Tegers. It may be mentioned that
while covering the withdrawal of the troops, 2 Lieutenant Anwar Hossain embraced
martyrdom. These two young Lieutenant displayed highest quality of leadership when a
highly demonstrated extreme indecisiveness and failed in judgement. In Barisal, Major Jalil
and armoured corps officer, who as on leave, organized a strong group of freedom fighters.
Foundation Scenario of Various Arms and Services
10. Armour. Bengalee officers and soldiers were an enviable asset to the Armoured
Corps of Pakistan for their skill and efficiency. During the war of independence in 1971, 2
officers, 6 JCOs and 48 soldiers of the Armoured Corps embraced martyrdom. After the
independence, 1972 the 1st Bengal Lancer was raised with the freedom fighters and
Bengalee soldiers of 28 Cavalry of the then Pakistan Army at Dhaka Cantonment. This was
the 1st tank regiment of Bangladesh Army.
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11. Artillery. The nucleus of Bangladesh Artillery Corps took shape during the War
of Liberation and began its journey on 22 July of that year. The force comprised of freedom
loving youth, Bengalee officers and jawans of the then Pakistan Army. The Artillery
batteries continuously provided support to the freedom fighters throughout the Liberation
War. The 1st Artillery unit, called the ‘Mujib Battery’ played praise worthy role during the
Liberation War. In recognition to their bravery, patriotism and ultimate sacrifice, some 16
members of the corps were given gallantry awards of different merits.
12. Engineers. The history of the Corps of Engineers of Bangladesh Army dates
back to the Bengal Sappers and Pioneers of British of British Imperial Army from where it
originated. During the War of Liberation, some 5 officers and 82 other ranks embraced
martyrdom for their country. Afterwards, the corps was reorganized and later expanded.
13. Signals. During the time of reorganization of Bangladeshi forces in 1971, the
Supreme Commander felt the necessity of restructuring the signal units to suit the need of
time. This resulted in the formation of sector-wise Brigade Signal Companies. Initially three
such companies were constituted with signalers from Army, Navy and Air Force and the
then EPR. The newly born companies were attached to the No 1,2 and 8 sectors with
Battalion Headquarters at Mujibnagar.
14. Army Service Corps. The Army Services Corps came into being on 11 March
1972. Initially it started with a small number of officers, JCOs and other ranks.
15. Army Medical Corps. A good number of Bengalee officers and troops of
Pakistan Army Medical Corps actively participated in the Liberation War. Some 14 officers
and 114 troops embraced martyrdom and enriched the history of Medical Corps with glory.
The Directorate of Medical Services came into existence during the Liberation War at
Mujibnagar. In 1973, the newly organized corps started expanding with 224 officers and
1484 other ranks.
16. Ordnance. Despite limited scope, members of the Ordnance Corps went
beyond the call of duty to augment the strength of frontline forces and fought heroically side
by with other corps members. Some 36 soldiers embraced martyrdom in the War of
Liberation. The Ordnance Depots started functioning at Chittagong, Comilla, Sylhet,
Rangpur, Saidpur and Jessore from 1972.
17. Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. During the War of
Liberation, 1400 members of the erstwhile Pakistan Corps of Electrical and Mechanical
Engineering were stationed in Bangladesh. These men fought gallantly side by side with
others. After liberation, 4 infantry workshops were raised in April 1972. The corps was
further reorganized and expanded subsequently.
18. Military Police. After independence, a number of ex Military Police personnel
took initiative to organize a Military Police unit in the newly born Bangladesh. The ex
Military Police persons from various places of Bangladesh were collected together at Dhaka
Transit Camp from where a Military Police unit was raised. Later on the Corps was
organized and expanded.
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19. Army Education Corps. During the War of Liberation, members of the
Education Corps fought valiantly for the country and number of them embraced martyrdom.
After the War, the Education Directorate was organized at the Army Headquarters.
21st November as Armed Forces Day and Its Significance
20. Armed Forces Day. 21st November laid the foundation for the final victory of
our War of Liberation on 16 December 1971. If the whole Liberation War is an epic, then,
the 21st November is the climatic episode of the epic. Initial resistance put up by five
existing battalions, limited EPR troops, Police and Ansars was not enough to fight against
4-5 divisions of well equipped and stronger enemy. Realizing this, soon it was decided to
raise a big guerilla force for a prolonged people’s war against the Pakistani military forces.
This large guerilla forces were basically engaged in minor operations following hit and run
tactics and our regular forces carried out conventional operations in platoons and company
strength. Eventually the occupation forces got bewildered and lost morale due to the
relentless operation of both regular and guerilla forces. Ultimately a situation was created
after 8 months on 21st November to launch combined attacks of Army, Navy and Air Force
with other associated forces. This historic phenomenon gave a new life and force to our
War of Liberation expediting its momentum towards the final victory within a couple of days
in 16 December, the next month.
21. Significance of 21st November. 21st November is a day of remembrance
time and again. This day has a tremendous significance to the Armed Forces with regards
to achieving common goal especially where the prime interest of the nation underlies. This
day was and will be an eternal source of unity, harmony and oneness to the people of
Bangladesh. Again 21st November is a symbol of organizational ability, heroism and
chivalry. More so this day is an example of sacrifice and patriotism which will always
inspire every citizen of the country. This was the day of laying foundation of trustworthiness
of the nation on today’s Armed Forces. The spirit of accepting responsibility of the Armed
Forces for the nation and its people is the 21 st November. Our Armed Forces Day.21 st
November therefore occupies a glowing part in the genesis of our national history. The
Armed Forces observe this day as Armed Forces Day marking the spirit of unified efforts
among the services and renew the vow of sacrifice for safeguarding the hard earned
independence and sovereignty.
Conclusion
22. As we enter the new millennium, many new challenges are coming up. Bangladesh
Army is going through the process of modernization in all respects. Besides organizational
restructuring, training and logistic framework are also being developed consistent with the
need to create the capability required of a modern army. At the dawn of 21 st century,
Bangladesh Army marches ahead in full glory with the expectations of a more promising
future. However we must acknowledge the great contribution of those men in uniform for
whom the Army could start its voyage.
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