MILITARY BATTLES - BATTLE OF ASHUGONJ (LIBERATION WAR OF BANGLADESH)

General

1.    The battle was fought between Allied and Pakistani forces from 09-10 December 1971. Allied achieved magnificent victory in this battle. The battle of Ashugonj was spectacular which allowed the Allied forces to mount speedier advance and fall of Dhaka became an easily attainable task.

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Orbat and Deployment of Forces

2.        Pakistani Forces.

a.         14 Division HQs at Ashugonj.

b.         Remnants 27 Infantry Brigade from Brahmanbaria.

3.        Allied Forces.

a.         18 Rajput Regiment of 311 Mountain Brigade.

b.         10 Bihar Regiment.

c.         S Force (11 East Bengal).

d.         Mukti Bahini of Sector 3.

e.         One squadron of PT-76 tanks.

Salient of the Defender’s and Attacker’s Plan

4.         Pakistani Plan.        Ashugonj was developed into a modern township with blocks of concrete buildings. It had a big petroleum complex and an eight storied rice silo which provided observation over a large area all round. Being a township, Ashugonj was turned into a strong fortified defensive position. The Pakistanis had a large number of troops waiting to cross to the west bank of the Meghna. They realized the urgent and vital need to secure the ferry site to permit their troops and equipment to be crossed safely. In addition, their engineers were working anxiously to prepare the only bridge over the Meghna at Ashugonj for demolition. Pakistan 14 Division Commander Major General Majid did not plan to fight defensive battle from Ashugonj due to changing scenario, rather he wanted to cross the Meghna ASP and held Bairab Bazar strongly to oppose Allied crossing. Brigadier Saidullah of 27 Brigade planned a quick respite to throw back the advancing Allied forces, so that he could carry out the ferrying of his troops safely and without interference.

5.         Allied Plan.   After the fall of Brahmanbaria, 57 Mountain Division planned to advance towards Ashugonj in order to capture Ashugonj Bridge intact before the retreating enemy could reorganize. The plan was as follows:

a.         The aim was to secure the eastern bank of the Meghna and capture of Ashugonj, provided the shortest and quickest way to reaching the river line.

b.         311 Mountain Brigade to advance beyond Brahmanbaria. 4 Guards led the advanced along the railway line and 18 Rajput along the road.

c.         The advance was without artillery support.

d.         Allied was not expecting a strong reaction from disorganized and retreating enemy.

Essential Details of the Battle

6.         73 Mountain Brigade occupied Brahmanbaria on 08 December. From there, 311 Mountain Brigade led the advance towards Ashugonj without any loss of time.

7.         Simultaneously, 11 East Bengal reached Ajabpur and Durgapurto the east of Ashugonj by evening of 08 December.  2 East Bengal and No 3 Sector troops were following behind.

8.         On 09 December, ‘S’ Force and 311 Mountain Brigade slowly and steadily kept on creeping fwd towards Ashugonj.

9.         18 Rajput of 311 Mountain Brigade took a bold step in attacking Ashugonj but got badly trapped there.

10.       A counter attack was launched by the enemy led personally by Brigadier general Sadullah, Commander 27 Brigade. 18 Rajput lost 4 tanks and 120 men in this sudden and sharp encounter.

11.       10 Bihar and 11 East Bengal attacked Ashugonj from the direction of Ajebpur and Durgapur supported by a squadron of PT-76 tanks and ultimately 18 Rajput was able to extricate.

12.       Enemy kept own forces engaged with antitank guns and artillery shelling.

13.       At this moment, GOC Pakistani 14 Division ordered demolishing of Ashugonj-Bhairab bridge leaving his Brigade Commander and elements of 27 Brigade on the east bank. But after the night fall, the Pakistanis from Ashugonj managed to cross the Meghna and reached Bhairab.

14.       Ashugonj was captured on the morning of 10 December by 11 East Bengal and 311 Mountain Brigade.

Analysis of the Battle

15.       Causes of Pakistani Defeat.        Lack of popular support, failure to assess Indian response, incorrect assessment of Allied Forces intention, low morale, lack of coord and poor leadership, rumours and lack of information are the main causes of Pakistani defeat.

16.       Causes Of Allied Victory.             Righteousness of cause, popular support, flexibility in planning and initiative at all level, taking calculative risk, air support, use of tanks, high morale, cooperation between Indo- Bangladesh forces, good leadership are the main causes of allied victory.

17.       Outcome of the Battle.      After the capture of Ashugonj, Lieutenant General Sagat Singh, IV Corps Commander, appreciated the situation. He decided that no advantage would gain from the capture of Bhairab Bazar, particularly as it was not even linked with Dhaka by road. But Dhaka was the nerve center of the then East Pakistan. He finalized to contain enemy at Bhairab Bazar and effectively cross further south which allowed the Allied forces to mount a speedier advance after crossing. The fall of Dhaka thereafter became an attainable task. It was this decision which finally and decisively turned the table in Allied favour and led to the early surrender of the Pakistani forces at Dhaka.

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