Remembering March
Idols of Courage
By Bipul K Debnath
Dam Diye Kinechi Bangla; Karo Dane Pawa Noy (Bangla was bought for a price, it was nobodys gift) is, of course, a powerful patriotic song that inspired people during our Liberation War period. The rulers of Pakistan had treated us, in the east, unjustly, to say the least. But the heroic people of our soil raised their voices from the very beginning against their oppression and untold discriminations. It was in March 1971 when the brave Bangalis pushed ahead with their fight for liberating the country from Pakistani tyrants once and for all. Responding to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahmans call for independence, all patriotic men, women and children of then East Pakistan participated in the liberation struggle with whatever they had, with a wow to liberate the country at all cost. And our long-awaited freedom came nine months later. We got our independent Bangladesh at the cost of three million lives, immeasurable sacrifices and countless acts of bravery. For their courage, many freedom fighters were rewarded with gallantry awards by a grateful nation.
For bravery and services to our dear motherland, the government conferred gallantry awards on 676 people in four categories on December 15, 1973. The awards are: Bir Srestha, the highest award, given to 7 martyrs; Bir Uttam, awarded to 68; Bir Bikram for 175; and Bir Protik given to 426, including many civilian freedom fighters.
Ahead of our 47th Independence Day on March 26, The Weekend Independent talked to some freedom fighters who were honoured with Bir Protik (Idol of Courage), the fourth highest gallantry award of the state. According to sources, there are only 135 recipients of Bir Protik alive now, but many of them are little known to the new generation. Here, seven of our brave heroes narrate their stories of the war:
Golam Mustafa, age 75, Bir Bikram and Bir Protik, Sector-3 (special force sector-2)
After the 7th March address of Bangabandhu, we were waiting for saving our dear motherland from the heartless Pakistanis. We were greatly inspired by the Joy Bangla slogan. After the dark night of March 25, we started fighting against the Pakistani army. We passed through Bhairab, Ashuganj, Akhaura, and reached Madhabpur (Habiganj). We did not fight well there because we did not have sufficient weapons. From there, we went to Telepara in Tripura state of India. We all gathered there and formed Sector 3 under Major KM Shafiullah. My sub-sector commander was Captain Nasim and I fought in the battle under him.
I took part in many successful battles as a section commander in the Second East Bengal regiment of Alfa Company in 1971. One of my most successful operations was in August. We got news that Pakistani soldiers had been entering Brahmanbaria from Sylhet. I planned an ambush on CMB Road at Gopalpur near Madhabpur. But the local Razakars (collaborators) informed the Pakistani army about our position. So, they surrounded us from three sides. I sent an emergency message to my commander. I had no choice but to save the lives of our fighters. When I went near the canal, I saw that Pakistani troops were already near our camp and they were trying to cross the canal. After some successful brush-fire, we managed to protect ourselves. For that, I received the Bir Bikram (Valiant Hero) award.
In early December, we entered Bangladesh again. We took shelter in the middle of Madhabpur and Shabaspur. We had news that Razakars and Pakistani soldiers were staying there. After hearing some noise, I went to Rampura Bridge in the border area of Habiganj and I saw a Pakistani truck coming towards our camp. Shouting Joy Bangla, I started firing at the truck with my SMG (submachine gun). The Pakistanis stopped the truck and got down at the bunker by the bridge. Later on, a massive battle took place between us. Habilder Rafiq and Mujibul were martyred and I, along with Nasim, Captain Mainuddin, Nayek Murtuza, Abul Kalam Azad, Mansur, Anis Bhuiyan, Abdul Bari, Rahim and others, was wounded in that battle. For that, I was awarded the Bir Protik.
I was born at Jhonki village at Magulain Dohar, Dhaka. Now, I am passing life as a disabled person, I lost a leg in the war. I live on the remuneration given by the state. Till now, I have no house of my own in my Bangla. I have a son, but he has no job. I am residing at Muktijodhha Tower in College Gate (Shyamoli).
Anwar Hossain Pahari, age 65, Bir Protik, Sector-7 (1st time), Sector-11 (2nd time)
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave his Six-Points demand in 1966 and I was greatly influenced by it. I was a student of class nine. I read about the activities of Bangabandhu in the daily Ittefaq. Later on, I took part in the mass protest of 1969 and general election of 1970 as an active member of Chhatra League. Mainly, we got the final direction to go to the battlefield through the 7th March speech of Bangabandhu. We realised that there was no alternative to fighting for our freedom. At the time, I was a third-year student of commerce department at Sirajganj College.
A weapons training was arranged in the field of Sirajganj College under the leadership of Latif Mirza. We found a good trainer there whose name was Lance Naik Lutfor Rahman. We also got guerrilla training from Kaderia Bahini. It was April 8, we took position at Baghabari Ghat in Shahjadpur.
Our first battle was against the Pakistani army on April 23. We went directly to encounter them. Meanwhile, EPR (East Pakistan Rifles) troops joined us from Ariabazar, Bogra. They had only Chinese SMG, LMG and three rifles. After 20 minutes face-to-face fighting, the Pakistani soldiers ceased fire and retreated. Another battle took place against the Pakistani army on April 25 at Ullapara. It was also a successful operation in Sector-7. We also fought in Madhupur, Bhengula, Bhuapur, Singulia, Sohagpara and Mirzapur.
On November 30, Kaderia Bahini attacked Nagarpur thana in Tangail district. It was just at noon when 10 companies of freedom fighters started firing jointly. Kader Siddique, Bir Uttam, led the fighting. We had only three LMGs, nine SMGs, two mortars, two grenade launchers and some rifles. My duty was to attack the north-western part. The entire area became chaotic, with harsh sound of relentless mortar and grenade blasts. I had a grenade launcher and fired through the open mouth of a bunker. The operation was successful and Pakistani soldiers were killed there. Next, I launched another grenade at the second bunker. But it was not a successful attempt. The Pakistanis looked at me and fired at me. The left side of my mouth and neck were badly injured. I lay down on the ground and my fellow freedom fighters took me to the local village doctor.
I was born at Diar Dhangora in Sirajganj Sadar. Now I live at Mohammadpur in Dhaka. I am associated with the Muktijoddha Sangshad.
Shahjahan Kabir, age 69, Bir Protik, Sector-10
I was a final year Bachelor of Commerce student at Jagannath College in 1971. The 7th March address of Bangabandhu _ Our struggle this time, is the struggle for our freedom. Our struggle this time, is the struggle for our independence. Joy Bangla!_ inspired me highly to become a freedom fighter. After the cowardice attack of the Pakistani army on March 25, my family members and I left Dhaka and took shelter with a Hindu family. On April 13, I, along with Mominullah Patwary, Kasem and 11 others, made a plan to go to the battlefield. So we reached Bokshonagar camp for training, we were there till May 11. It was naval commando training.
Our commando team then went with 300 fighters to the bank of Bhagirathi River at Palashi in Murshidabad district of India on May 13. The Bangladesh government of that time made a plan to attack four ports _ two seaports at Chittagong and Chalna (Mongla) and two river ports at Narayanganj and Chandpur _ at the same time. It was called Operation Jackpot.
On August 12, we reached our house at Chandpur. After hearing of our plan to attack ships, my father, who was the headmaster of Safarmali High School, advised us to go to our uncles house as it would be easier for us to launch our attack from there. When we got there, our commander came and gave us instructions. In the morning of August 13, we got ready for our mission. On August 15, we started our operation at Steamer Ghat, Launch Ghat and London Ghat, and three other ships. It was an operation with mines and we placed them at the designated spots very carefully. When we took safe position, we heard a loud sound of mines blasting. The Pakistani soldiers were in a fix and started to fire openly.
On October 30, we did another successful operation at London Ghat in Chandpur. It was a daytime operation. We attacked MV Shami where many Pakistani soldiers were killed. I think I got the Bir Protik award for that operation.
I was born at Dashadi village of Safarmali in Chandpur district. I have four brothers. Two of my brothers are also freedom fighters, while two others were organisers in the Liberation War. Our late father Shahid Ibrahim was also an active organiser. Now, I am doing social work.
Mominullah Patwary, age 67, Bir Protik, Sector-10
In March 1971, I was a student of Chittagong University. It was a tough time for all. I was worried whether I would find my family back home alive or not as we were out of touch for a long time. At that time, a soldier came to us and asked us to go for training to India. We went to Hatimara camp and started training with other young men.
After training, we returned home with our team, of which I was a deputy leader. On August 15, we started our first attack to destroy steamers and ships at Chandpur Ghat. Later on October 29, around 12 pm, we did another operation at Chandpur port. It was difficult to go for an operation at day time. I, with Fazlul Kabir, destroyed Burma Eastern Oil Depot. I was a naval commando. I took part in many successful battles, such as the August Chandpur port operation and October 30 destruction of the American ship MV Loren at London Ghat of Dakatia River.
My maternal grandfather, Shahid Ibrahim, inspired me to be a freedom fighter. I was born in Maishadi village of Chandpur district. My father is Meherulla Patwari and mother is Shamsun Nahar. Now I am CEO of a foundation that is working for development of the education sector.
Mizanur Rahman Khan, age 64, Bir Protik, Sector-11
I was an intermediate (HSC) student of Bhawal Badore Alam College in 1971. I took part in our great Liberation War from July 21. I took training at Kamalpur camp under army officers until Colonel Taher joined as a sector commander of Sector-11.
Though I fought many successful battles at Kamalpur camp and other places, my most memorable and important battle was on November 14. We were about 2,000 freedom fighters, including (Bengali) soldiers. It was face-to-face combat. We were firing from both sides and it was non-stop. Our sector commander, Colonel Taher, was seriously wounded on the border line around 8:30 am. Other freedom fighters and I were trying to rescue him from the battlefield. The Pakistani soldiers figured we were going for someone important. So, they used mortal shells and other weapons to stop us from rescuing him. Fierce fighting went on at that moment. We also fired mortar shells to protect ourselves. Finally, we forced them to surrender to us. For this, I got this award.
I was born at Kulkandi village in Islampur upazilla of Jamalpur district. My parents are Dr Reazul Islam Khan and Nurun Nahar Khanom. We are six brothers and two sisters. Two of my brothers, Hafizur Rahman Khan and Nazrul Islam Khan, are also freedom fighters. I now reside at Hatirpool in Dhaka, and I live on the honorarium from the state.
Mahabub Elahi Ronju, age 63, Bir Protik, Sector-11
I am a proud Bangali. The Bangali nation that has an enriched history of a thousand years that got its independence through the great Liberation War. From my childhood, I used to think of Pakistan as an absurd nation. In 1971, I was a student of Rajshahi University.
When Bangabandhu gave his 7th March speech, I returned to my hometown, Gaibandha. Youths were starting to unite under the Chhatra Sangram Parishad there and I joined them. They arranged arms training with rifles every night on the field of Gaibandha College. Meanwhile, a group of soldiers of the Bengal Regiment at Syedpur mutinied over the mass killings of March 25, and they took a stand against the Pakistani army with our trained youths at Gaibandha. Bloody battles took place against Pakistani soldiers in the first and second weeks of April. Breaking our defence circle, the Pakistan army took control of Gaibandha on April 17. Then I went to India to participate in the Liberation War in full.
After taking training as a fighter, I joined our great Liberation War. We were in a sub-sector of Sector-11. At first, I was a platoon commander and later, I became a commander of Ronju Company. We took part in several successful operations in Gaibandha. Our most notable operations were demolishing bridges at Badiakhali and Dariapur, and battles at Ratanpur, Uria Ghat, Chaparhat, Kamarjani, Balashi Ghat and Pulbandir. I got the Bir Protik award for my overall role in the war.
I was born in Kishoreganj. Now, I live in Mohakhali DOHS in Dhaka and do social work.
Golam Azad, age 63, Bir Protik, Sector-8
I went to my village Itna in Lohagara of Narail district from Khulna when the Pakistani army started mass killings on March 25. I took 10-day training with a 303 rifle along with Suja, Tunu, Ismail, Munnu, Rajib Mina, Mintu and others under Captain Nuruddohar on the grounds of Itna High School. After the training, we were sent to the Teachers Training College at Bhabanipur in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India, where we got training on basic guerrilla fighting. Later, we went to Chapabaria camp and received further training on fighting. Then we participated in our Liberation War.
I was a commander of Platoon No 1 of G-force (Ka) company, which had three platoons in Sector-8. MH Siddique, Bir Uttam, was the commander. The company was formed by EPR, air force and civilian freedom fighters and it had 3-inch mortars, LMG, SLR guns, anti-tank and anti-personnel mines and grenades and huge amounts of explosives.
I took part in many successful battles. One of those took place on November 17 when we got news that Pakistani soldiers were crossing the Nabaganga River at Lohagara in Narail and going to Kalna Ghat, which was on the western part of Modhumati River. When they were trying to cross the Modhumati to get to their Bhatiarapara camp on the north side, we started firing at them without any delay. Facing defeat, the Pakistanis went back to Jessore. At least nine Pakistani soldiers were killed and many of them were wounded in that battle. Bhatiarapara camp, a stronghold of the Pakistan army, was closed indefinitely after that fighting. I got the Bir Protik award for contributions in our Liberation War. Now, I live at Baridhara DOHS, passing a retired life from public service.
