Page 11 of 18

Department of History & Philosophy

Emergence of Bangladesh
HIS103
Section – 8
Project on Liberation war 1971 (Sector- 8)
Prepared for
Dr. Sharifuddin Ahmed (SFN)

Prepared by
Name ID
Fatema Akther 1521804630

Md. Shafiqul Haque Bhuiyan 1610552630

Araf Ibne alamgir 1621771030

Kaniz Fatema Urmi 1711387648

Lutfun Nahar  1712664048

Page 2 of 18
 Context
Topic Page
number
Acknowledgements 4
Intrduction 5
Formation of 1971 Liberation War 7
Sectors of Liberation WAR 10
Formation of Sector 8 12
Activities of Sector 8 14
Some information about sector 8 collected from various witnesses 15
Final stages of the War 16
Contribution of Indian Army 16
Womens contribution in the liberation war 17
1971 Killing of Bengali Intellectuals 18
16th December Victory day 18
References 19

Acknowledgements
Page 3 of 18
We want to express gratitude toward Almighty Allah for giving us the capacity and tolerance
to buckle down with gigantic dedication. Also we want to express gratitude towards our
honorable faculty Dr. Sharifuddin Ahmed, from whom we learned a lot. We are appreciative
to those individuals without whom it would have been very unimaginable for us to do the
overview in regards to this whole report. Amid planning, we needed to beat some real
troubles and making the most of our every single minute on making this report.

Last however not the minimum; we might want to offer our true thanks and obligation to the
expert of North South University for their kind co-activity.

Special thanks to:

Dr. Sharifuddin Ahmed

Professor, Department of History and Philosophy.

North South University, Dhaka.

Group members:

Fatema Akther

Md. Shafiqul Haque Bhuiyan

Araf Ibne alamgir

Kaniz Fatema Urmi

Lutfun Nahar

Page 4 of 18
 Introduction

This Liberation War of Bangladesh which occurred in 1971 was for the independence from
Pakistan. India and Pakistan got independence from the British rule in 1947. Pakistan was
formed for the Muslims and India had a majority of Hindus. Pakistan had two parts, East and
West, which were separated by 1,000 miles. East Pakistan was mainly the eastern part of the
province of Bengal. The capital of Pakistan was Karachi in West Pakistan. By creating the Urdu
as the state language, Bengali people first saw the original face of West Pakistani administrators.
In 21st February 1952 they killed the language protestors. The population size of West-Pakistan
was smaller compared to that of East-Pakistan after the partition, a major share of national
budget (75%) was spent on West-Pakistan. Six points proposal was proposed but the proposal
was rejected by politicians from West Pakistan and non Awami League politicians from East
Pakistan. In 1968 the West Pakistani ruling party accused Awami league for the Agartala
conspiracy case. The case implicated that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and others were involved in
conspiring with India against the stability of Pakistan. The Six Points demand of Awami League
had its wide reflection on the Eleven Points demand of the Chhatra Sangram Parishad in 1969. In
1970 election Awami League won a landslide victory by winning an absolute majority of 160
seats. However, due to discrimination in economy and ruling powers against them, the East
Pakistanis vigorously protested and wanted to become independent.

Page 5 of 18
On March 7, 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence at the Dhaka Race Course
that mobilized the Bengali nation for resistance.

To interrupt the independence protest in the mid night of 25 March West Pakistani military led
by Lt. Gen. Tikka Khan killed millions of Bengali people in East Pakistan. The military forces
killed everybody in sight on the footpath and destroyed everything on their way. The tanks
roared through the streets of Dhaka blasting indiscriminately at the people and officials and
residential buildings.

The violence unleashed by the Pakistani forces on 25 March 1971 proved the last straw to the
efforts to negotiate a settlement. Following these incidents, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared the
Independence of Bangladesh.

Following the operation search light held on 25th March 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared
the independence of Bangladesh on 26th March 1971. Tajuddin Ahmed and Amirul Islam went
to Delhi where Tajuddin met the prime minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi. In the meeting
Tajuddin Ahmed explained their plans to Mrs. Indira Gandhi who then gave the assurance of all
possible help. The Bangladesh Forces was organized for the war in 1971 into in 11 sectors. From
10 April the sector commander started their official duties. On 10 April a government was
formed consisting of the top ranking leaders of Awami league. The Mujibnagar government
headed by Tajuddin Ahmad took oath on 17 April 1971 at Mujibnagar. After fighting for 9
months, in 16th December 1971 the Pakistani military force surrendered themselves to the
Bangladeshi liberation force and the Bangladesh got liberated and became independent.

Page 6 of 18
 Formation of 1971 Liberation war
Colonel M.A.G. Osmani, Lieutenant Colonel Abdur Rob and
many others met at Teliapara (a place located at Sylhet-India
border) and they prepared a basic paper on the strategy of
Liberation war. Colonel M.A.G. Osmani was made the
commander-in-chief of Bangladesh Armed Forces on 17 April
1971. In the meantime, an exile government called the People's
Republic of Bangladesh Government alias Mujibnagar
government was formed on 10 April with
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as President of the Republic, Syed
Nazrul Islam as Vice President and Tajuddin Ahmed as Prime Minister.

Colonel M.A.G. Osmani proposed a strategy which the Japanese used in Indonesia and Burma
during the Second World War. The strategy suggests that two pronged attack will be undertaken,
one by regular troops and another one by the guerrillas. The regular forces could attack the
enemy positions from the front while locally mannered guerillas will attack from the rear. The
conclusion from the meeting was that a large guerilla force would be raised and trained to fight
against the Pakistani army. Moreover in this meeting four senior commanders were entrusted
with the responsibility of operational areas. Sylhet-Brahmanbaria area was placed under the
command of Major Shafiullah. Comilla-Noakhali area was given to Major Khaled Mosharraf
while Chittagong-Chittagong Hill Tracts was given to Major Ziaur Rahman. Kushtia-Jessore
area was placed under command of Major Abu Osman Chowdhury. In the meeting the
organizational concept of the freedom fighter forces and the command structure were chalked
out. Colonel M.A.G. Osmani was to command the liberation forces, later named as “Mukti
Bahini”. Therefore the whole war strategy was written in a military paper which was known as
“Telipara Document”. Once the document was approved by the government in exile as well as
the Indian army officers, a massive program of recruitment and training of guerillas were
undertaken.

Tajuddin Ahmed announced the names of three more regional commanders, Captain
Newazish for Rangpur region, Major Najmul Haque for Dinajpur-Rajshahi-Pabna and Major
Jalil for Barisal-Patuakhali region. All these regions were later named as sectors. All of
Page 7 of 18
Bangladesh was divided into eleven such sectors and different sub-sectors for operational
purposes during the Sector Commander's conference held from 10 to 17 July 1971.

Mukti Bahini consisted of two forces. The first

one was the regular force (Niomito Bahini) and
the second one was irregular force (Gono Bahini).
The regular forces included paramilitary, military
and police forces of East Pakistan. On the other
hand, the Gono Bahini included civilians and
guerrillas. M.A.G Osmani was the commander in
chief of the
Mukti Bahini. Besides Mukti Bahini, many
other bahinis were organised inside Bangladesh at different places to fight Pakistan Army. These
Bahinis included Kader Bahini of Tangail, Latif Mirza Bahini of Sirajganj, Akbar Hossain
Bahini of Jhinaidah, Hemayet Bahini of Faridpur, Quddus Molla and Gafur Bahini of Barisal,
Afsar Bahini of Mymensingh and Aftab Bahini of Mymensingh. A crack platoon consisting of
daring youths operated most valiantly in Dhaka city as well. These bahinis were established as a
local force based on their own strength taking part in a number of battles with the occupation
army. Siraj Sikdar, leader of Sarbahara Party, also organised his force in Barisal.

Another Bahini named as Mujib Bahini was

organised in India with the active assistance of Major
General Oban of the Indian army who was an expert
in guerilla warfare. Mujib Bahini was trained at
Dehradun. Student League leaders Sheikh Fazlul Haq
Mani, Tofael Ahmed, Abdur
Razzak and Sirajul Alam Khan were organisers of
this Bahini. Mujib Bahini was a special force created and composed of 60,000 young supporters
of the liberation movement. In the battlefield, the Mujib Bahini fought shoulder to shoulder with
other freedom fighters. It carried out daring raids into the Pakistani occupation army’s positions
in the south, the south-west and some areas around Dhaka. It was especially trained in guerrilla
warfare and was equipped with comparatively better weapons.

Page 8 of 18
Cruelty committed by Pakistani army: The West-Pakistani armed force demonstrated no
empathy for Bengalis. The principles of commitment were at no time adhered to. The guards of
the West-Pakistani armed force would execute regular citizens with no leniency. They would
bring Bengalis as prisoners and murder them callously in bunches. As indicated by witnesses, the
West-Pakistani armed force was having the ability to light and murder anybody that was
blocking their direction. Their favored targets were strict minorities, for example, Hindus. They
would killed large number of Hindu men without a moment's delay and would snatch ladies and
young ladies. There are banters about the quantity of Bengalis that have been executed during
the war – anyway in Bangladesh the estimate is 30 million individuals.

Sectors of Liberation war 1971

Sectors Location
1 Chittagong

2 Dhaka, Comilla, Faridpur and Noakhali distri

3 Sreemangal Sylhet Brahmanbaria

4 Habiganj
5 Sylhet

6 Rangpur Dinajpur

7 Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogra

8 Kushtia, Jessore, Khulna, Barisal, Faridpur P

9 Barisal, Patuakhali, Khulna and Faridpur.

10 This sector was constituted with the naval co
11 Mymensingh Tangail, Gaibandha, Ulipur, Ka
Chilmari.

Page 9 of 18
In the liberation war 1971, the geographical area of the Bangladesh were divided into eleven
sectors. Each sectors had a sector commander and subsectors were formed in each sectors for
more effective and efficient military operations. During the Independence War, the Sector
Commanders
Conference was held from of July 11-17th, 1971. This conference was held specially in order to
reorganize the structure of Bangladesh force and to fight properly with the reorganization of the
sectors. These sectors were formed with regular forces.

A. Formation of sector 8
The most interesting part of sector 8 is The Provisional Government of the People's Republic
of Bangladesh, most popularly known as Mujibnagar Government was established in the town
on Baidyanathtala in Meherpur, Kushtia District. Its leaders were administered their oaths at a

Page 10 of 18
mango orchard near the site of the Battle of Plassey, in which the British defeated the last
independent Nawab of Bengal in 1757

In the April 1971, the operation area of sector 8 was formed with 6 districts. They were:
Kushtia, Jessore, Barisal, Khulna. That time the sector commander was major Abu Osman
Chowdhury (14 April1971 - 17 July, 1971) and later it was replaced by Major MA Manzur (14
August -14 February 1972).

MAJOR ABU OSMAN CHOWDHURY:

Page 11 of 18
In 1971, Abu Osman Chowdhury was posted in Chuadanga, under district Kushtia as a Major of
the Pakistan army and the Commander of 4th Wing East Pakistan Rifles (EPR). He left for
Kushtia with his family on 23 March 1971 to attend an official meeting. He was staying at
Kushtia Circuit House on the night of 25–26 March when the news of Operation
Searchlight reached him. Sensing imminent danger he left Kushtia on early morning of 26 March
1971 and headed to Chuadanga via Jhenaidah while local political workers have already
revolted. LaterBengali soldiers and raised the flag of Bangladesh at EPR 4 Wing Headquarter in
Chuadanga.[1][2] Later the 4 wing of EPR, led by Major Chowdhury and reinforced with Police
and Ansar personnels and local youth, attacked 27 Baluch of Pakistan Army stationed at Kushtia
and eliminated almost 2 companies.

MAJOR MUHAMMAD ABDUL MANUR:

Manzur had been awarded valor under fire Bir Uttam by the Bangladeshi Government for his
bravery in the Independence war. Manzur was the divisional commander of Bangladesh Army,
GOC (General Officer Commanding) of 24th Infantry Division headquartered at Chittagong at
the time of his death.

Beanpole was the headquarter of sector 8. In this sector there was another 7 sub -sectors they
were: 1. Lalbazar. There commander was AR Azam Chowdhury. 2.Banpur. And commander
was Captain Mostafizur Rahman. 3. Beanpole commanders were Captain Abdul Halim, Captain
Tawfiq -e Elahi Chowdhury 4. Boyra. commander was Captain Khondocar Nazmul huda 5.
Hakimpur. Commander and was Captain Shafiq Ullah. 6. Bhomra there commanders were
Captain Salahuddin, Captain Shahabuddin. 7. Shikarpur here commanders were Captain Tawfiq
-e Elahi Chowdhury and Lieutenant Jahangir. About 10 thousand freedom fighters fought in
sector 8. (Rashed, 2008), (Sectors and Sectors Commanders)

Page 12 of 18
 B. Activities of sector 08

Sector 8 had 3,000 regular force and 25k guerillas. The regular forces held a number of free
areas while the guerillas established several based deep inside Bangladesh. In this sector the
new method was followed. Regular troop were made to occupy 7 to 8 miles inside Bangladesh
and take up all – round defense around a tactical feature, they invited Pakistani army to attack on
them. (Sectors and Sector Commanders)

Page 13 of 18
 Some information about sector three collected from some witnesses

Taposh Acharya was one of the witnesses of Kushtia

genocide. He was in class four during 1971 liberation
war. He along with his parents heard the gunshots all
night long. Later he got to know that throughout the
night, the Pakistani force killed at least 29 people.
From this 29 people, most of them were Hindu and a
Hindu priest named Suresh Chowdhury was also
murdered.

Sumol Chandra Das was a boy of 13 years in 1971,

from the Jessore Town. 15th September 1971,
Pakistan army raided their house, arrested him
along with his father, uncle, brother. Six of them
were taken to Army camp. Next night they were
taken to a rail bridge by a single compartment train.
More six captive was with them. All of their hands
were tied up except Sumol. They made everyone
stand on the side of the Bridge. Then they shot everyone. 12 persons were Killed instantly. After
long 48 years, Sumol Chandra Das gave Witness statement of that brutal killing.

Page 14 of 18
 Final stages of the war
Contribution of Indian army
The contribution of Indian people,
government and eventually armed forces
are unforgettable fact of history. When
Bangladeshi mass people were murdered
by the military of Pakistan, India
intervened and sent army to fight against
Pakistani soldiers and supported freedom
fighters. Indira
Gandhi, expressed full support of her
government to the Bangladeshi struggle
for independence. The Bangladesh-India border was opened to allow the Bangladeshi refugees
safe shelter in India. Almost 10 million men and women who were forced to leave their
motherland to save themselves entered various states of India. The people of India spontaneously
took initiatives to give shelter and food to the refugees of East Pakistan. India also provided
training, arms and ammunitions for the freedom fighters. Indira Gandhi erstwhile traveled
around the world to gather support for the cause. India not only spent seven thousand crores of
rupees for the liberation war of Bangladesh; but also sacrificed the lives of 3630 officers and
soldiers of her Army. About 9856 officers and soldiers were wounded and more than 213
officers and soldiers are missing. 21 November was a very significant day during the nine
months of Liberation War. On this day, the Bangladeshi Freedom Fighters and Indian Army
formed the joint forces known as 'Allied Forces'. Indian army force actively joined the war on 3
December 1971, after Pakistan launched preemptive air strikes on north western part of India.
Mukti bahini and Indian’s unity help to defend west Pakistani army. The Indian Air Force
carried out several sorties against Pakistan, and within a week, IAF aircraft dominated the skies
of East Pakistan. The Indian Navy blockaded the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Air Force
pounded the Pakistanis from the skies.

Page 15 of 18
 Womens Contribution in the liberation war of Bangladesh

Bangladeshi women played a significant role in 1971 by working as combatants, informants,

nurses, and so on. They cooperated with the brave freedom fighters by providing them with food,
fund and shelter. Sometimes they collected weapons by playing tricks over the Pakistani army.
One such woman was Taramon Bibi. She joined the Sector 11 (Mymensingh-Tangail) camp
commanded by Major Abu Taher initially as a cook and a cleaner. But noticing her resilience,
bravery and strength, Taramon's godfather Muhib Habildar motivated her to become a freedom
fighter. He taught her how to use arms like rifles and stein gun.


Taramon Bibi (Born 1957) Bir Protik awarded in 1973 but no whereabouts found until 1995
when she was handed title by BNP leader PM Khaleda Zia. Village home in Shankar Madhabpur
Kurigram. Fought in sector 11 (Mymensingh-Tangail). 'Taramon Bibi Female Students Hostel' at
Begum Rokeya Government College, Rangpur, is named in her honour. She lives with her
farmer husband and two children in Kaliakoir, Comilla.

1971
killing of Bengali
intellectuals
On 14 December 1971, over 200
of Bangladesh's

Page 16 of 18
 intellectuals including professors, journalists, doctors, artists, engineers, and writers were
abducted from their homes in Dhaka by the Al-Badr militia and the Pakistan Army.
They were taken blindfolded to torture
cells in Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Nakhalpara, Rajarbagh and other locations in different sections
of the city. Later they were executed in masse, most notably at Rayerbazar and Mirpur.

16th December Victory day

The instrument of surrender was signed by Lieutenant Jagit Sing Aurora and Lieutenant General
Niazi at the Ramna Racecourse (now Suhrawardy Udyan) at one minute past 5 p.m on 16
December 1971.Thus an independent Bangladesh was born as democratic and secular state.

REFERENCES

 Rashed, M.U. (2008). Sectors & Armed Force of the Liberation War 1971. Star

Campus, 2 (61). Retrieved From:

https://archive.thedailystar.net/campus/2008/03/04/feature_sectors.htm

 Sectors and Sector Commanders. Liberation War. Retrieved From:

https://sites.google.com/site/bdliberationwar1971/sectors-and-sector-commanders

Page 17 of 18
 Bangladesh Liberation War. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh_Liberation_War

 Banglapedia. (n.d.). War of Liberation. Retrieved from Banglapedia:

http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=War_of_Liberation,_The

 Notable battles in the 11 Sectors. (n.d.). Retrieved from Dhaka Tribune :

https://www.dhakatribune.com/uncategorized/2013/12/16/notable-battles-in-the-
11sectors

 Sector details. (n.d.). Retrieved from Liberation War:

https://sites.google.com/site/bdliberationwar1971/sectors-and-sector-commanders

 http://www.londoni.co/index.php/23-history-of-bangladesh/1971-muktijuddho/146-
muktijuddho-bangladesh-liberation-war-1971-women-role-bengali-women-as-sex-toys-
history-of-bangladesh

Page 18 of 18