MILITARY BATTLES - BATTLE OF BELONIA BULGE (LIBERATION WAR OF BANGLADESH)

General Description of Military Battles- Battle of Belonia Bulge

Figure-1: Military Battles-Location of Belonia

            1.         The Battle of the Belonia Bulge was one of the major and successful military battles of the Bangladesh Liberation Army. The battle was fought between the Pakistan Army and the Allied forces on 02 November- 07 November 1971. The prime contributor to the success of this battle was 10 East Bengal which was raised newly from the Sector-2 troops.

Figure-2: Military Battles-Sector-2

            Composition and Disposition of Forces

            2.         Pakistani Forces.

                       a.         15 Baluch Regiment deployed one coy each at Belonia, Porshurum, Amjadhat and Salder Bazar. Battalion HQ was located at Feni.

                       b.         EPCAF deployed one company each at west of Belonia, Gutuma and Jamua.

Figure-3: Military Battles-Deployment of Pakistani Forces

            3.        Allied Forces.

                      a.         Bangladesh task force consisted of 10 East Bengal, one company of 2 East Bengal and Sector 1 troops.

                      b.         Indian Army had 3 Dogra Regiment, 2 Rajput Regiment and Divisional Artillery of 23 Mountain Division.

Figure-4: Military Battles-Deployment of Allied Forces

            The Plan and Task of Allied Force

Figure-5: Military Battles-Allied Plan

4.        Bangladesh Forces.    The plan was to cut the Pakistan troops in the Bulge from north to south along Chandana- Salia- Gutuma line and forced them to surrender. To execute the plan the assigned task was allotted for the forces as under:

                      a.         10 East Bengal was to infiltrate through the gaps from the western border along line Chandana-Salia-Gutuma and dig-in overnight.

Figure-6: Military Battles-Allied Attack

                      b.         Troops to be deployed facing the enemy from both front and rear.   

                      c.         Troops of sector-1 to infiltrate from the eastern border through Gutuma and linked up with 10 East Bengal.

                      d.         Seal northern part of the bulge and trap enemy located in the area.

                      e.         Ensure that no troops from the north escape to the South nor they are reinforced from the south.

5.        Indian Forces.     Their task was to attack and clear the remnants if the besieged Pakistani troops would not go for automatic surrender after 3-4 days.

Do you want to get the mobile app of "Military Battles" website for Android Mobiles? Then DOWNLOAD The File for free and Install on your Android Mobile.

Conduct of the Battle

6.        On 07 October, detail reconnaissance and briefing was carried out. One JCO of the reconnaissance party was injured by mine during reconnaissance.

7.        On night 2/3 November, 10 East Bengal infiltrated through Chandana- Salia- Gutuma line, completed defense facing north and south by 030630 November. At the same time one Pakistani railway trolley was ambushed.

Figure-7: Military Battles-Mukti Bahini Infiltration on 2/3 November

8.        Pakistani forces started heavy firing and tried to break through during night 3/4 November but failed.

9.        On 04 November, Pakistani forces carried out massive air strike. One HMG was destroyed. Next day also, air strike continued and they tried to break through but failed.

10.      On night 5/6 November, one fighting petrol of 20 person went for recce of Salder Bazar and was ambushed. One company of 10 East Bengal launched attack and captured Salder Bazar by 1st light 06 November. By afternoon, one company from 2 Rajput reinforced the position at Salder Bazar.

Figure-8: Military Battles-10 East Bengal Attack on Salder Bazar

11.      On night 6/7 November, 3 Dogra launched attack on Belonia and Porshuram with artillery support and captured it by 1st light 07 November. One officer and 42 other ranks of Pakistani forces surrendered.

Figure-9: Military Battles-Attack of 3 Dogra Regiment

Lessons Learnt

12.      Following lessons can be drawn from this battle:

a.         Need For Detail Reconnaissance at All Level.    A detail reconnaissance up to minimum level of a section helps in achieving success.

b.         Inclement Weather Helps in Achieving Surprise by Infiltration.    An unfavorable weather condition helps in achieving surprise for Infiltration troops.

c.         Need for Reserve at All Times.    Strong reserve should be maintained to eject out any sort of unforeseen situation under centralized command.

d.         Need for Mutual Support and Petrol to Cover the Gaps.    Infantry should be deployed mutually supported. Should there be a big gap must be covered by aggressive petrol.

e.         Popular Support.    For any war popular support is required. Pakistan Army lost the popular support due to their misconduct with the local population.

f.          Need For Bold and Imaginative Planning.   Infiltration played a contributory factor for the success of subsequent operation.

g.         Effect of Moonlit Night.   During the infiltration the liberation force correctly exploited the dark hours of moon since it was on 3^rd quarter.


Do you want to get the mobile app of "Military Battles" website for Android Mobiles? Then DOWNLOAD The File for free and Install on your Android Mobile.