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

Kamalpur lay on the main thrust line not more than 1,000 Yards from the border. In  view of its proximity to the border, it  was decided that the kamalpur should be captured through a preliminary operation by the Mukti Bahini with support of Indian regular troops. The  post was attacked several times during the months of July, August and September by Mukti Bahini without success. Thereafter Mukti Bahini and Indian troops launched following attacks till 3 December on the post:

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a.         On 22 October after saturated artillery bombardment the post was attacked with  two Inian infantary companies and two Mukti Bahini companies. The attack had to be called off because of heavy casualties.

b.         Next major operation was planned with 13 Guards on 14 November prior to that the post was put under siege by a tight cordon of about two battalion strength of mukti Bahini and Indian troops. Two companies of 1 Maratha laid an ambush on road Bakshigonj- Kamalpur where heavy mortars were expected to be deployed to support defensive battle of kamalpur. On 14 November 13 Guards and Mukti Bahini under the command of Major Taher launched a feint atteck on kamalpur as expected, two heavy mortars moved out of Bakshigonj and deployed in the middle of the ambush to support the BOP. The ambush became alive and both the mortars with their vehicles were destroved . In this battle Major Taher wounded and he was evacuated to land and subsequently Squadron Leader Hamidullah was made the Sector commander.

c.         After the ambush 1 Maratha Light was pulled back. 13 Guards along with Mukti Bahini was given the responsibility for sieging of kamalpur with a hope that it would break down the posts will to resist.

d.         Pakistanis made several desperate attempts to break the encirclement but failed.

e.         On night 27/28 another major attack was launched on the BOP. But the attack again failed.

f.          Another attack to capture the position met the same fate. The stalemate continued till former declaration of war on 3 December. The three weeks battle had brought out two important points. Firstly, the Pakistanis has failed all attempts to overrun the outpost. Secondly Indians and Mukti Bahini foiled all pakistant attempts to break the encirclement.

g.         After the declaration of war, Brigadier kler decided to contain Kamalpur  while Bakshigonj was to be tackeled by infiltration. He accordingly proceeded towars Bakshigonj with 1 Maratha , 13 Rajputra Rifles and two Light Mortar batteries leaving 13 Guards to keep up the siege of kamalpur.

h.         While infiltration was in progress on night 3/4  December a Pakistain company commander Maj Ayub from Bakshigonj made a desperate attempt to replenish the outpost and died.

j.          After failure of this attempt the post commander over wireless had asked permission to withdraw but was denied . General Gurbux who was parsonally supervising the kamalpur battle got the intercepted conversation and applied psychological warfare by alternative use of stick and carrot . He hammered the post with MIG-21 thrice during the day and in between sent notes through Mukti Bahini representative to post commander for surrender. Ultimately captain Ahsan Malik, the post commander surrendered at 041900 December after putting up a courageous stand throughout siege and holding a brigade for 21 days with only a mixed company strength.

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