Dr. M A Hasan writes for DOT
The misty days of `71 winter were full of great surprise and excitement for me. I was a young lieutenant in Bangladesh Army. I was asked to work as adjutant of 2nd East Bengal regiment which I rejected saying, “I have left my parent profession of medicine to fight out the invaders, sitting behind table is not my job.”
Then, I was posted as company officer of the regiment. Surprise came when I was selected to receive the operation order for my brigade from the Eastern Command Headquarter at Agortola.
I received the order on 27 November from representative of Indian GOC at their headquarters in Agortola. That was a night around 8 pm; officers were sitting around a big dinner table, they have finished the dinner. They welcomed me with a big ‘Hi’. Then they said, “young man, you are that lucky chap to receive something valuable from us. Have dinner, we have just finished.”
They offered me chapatis and Dal with ghee. I was overwhelmed to receive warm address and welcome from topmost officers of Indian Headquarter. Attention and enthusiasm of Brigd. Misra was extraordinary. Their words decided my future. Again, it was me and my company that was selected to enter Bangladesh first on 29 November night. But as there was severe causality causing death and injury of number of soldiers before we launched the attack, we had to abondone the original plan.
One air burst shell, thurshed me to a ditch along with branch of a mango tree. Luckily I was not killed nor injured. We had to postpone the plan for several hours to reconstruct our courage and organize the shattered company.
We had to deter a bit.
I assumed the full responsibility to lead the Vanguard Company across six-mile minefield. The final attack took place on 30 November at night – it was a foggy night – dense ground clinging mist was pervading the ground, part of sky and the full moon. We started creping through nacked paddy field using metal poker to detect and brushoff anti person mines. It was real test of nerve. I had to change all weak and shaky soldiers and replace them with bold and adaments – full of raw courage. Subeder Sultan of Bashkhali was helping me.
It was my CO who trusted me take to the command and carry the operation ‘Nut Crack’. (Ref. EK Generaler Nirob Smriti Kahini- General Moyeenul Hossain Choudhury)
It was an unique opportunity to prove my courage and authority. I was supposed to reach Azampur railway station and dig fox holes to ensure frontline position and order artillary attack uttering the code “Dhamaka”.
Once I assured my flank position, including deployment of fellow companies and enemy position, I was ready for attack. The ‘H’ hour was 01 hr. Accordingly I got myself assured about my boys and gunners and finally directed the artillary unite of 57-mountain division and our Mujib battery to shell all fortified bunkers and tank positions of the Pakistan army with much thrill. I uttered ‘Dhamaka’ and the artillary pounding of 80-pound shells started.
I was supposed to continue for an hour but, as I sensed hard resistance and towering defence of the enemy army, I asked to continue the shelling for hours. When I was assured it was done, I uttered again ‘Dhamaka’ at 4 am signaling to stop shelling to allow us to advance charging the enemy in their bunkers.
We did intensify our attack at 5 am when the Darkness was fading away. Unfortunately, some concrete bunkers at remote corner which were missed by eyes of op and eyes of reconnaissance team became a threat – the enemy was trying to target us with heavy machine guns and rocket launcher.
We were failing to quell and silent them as because our approach road were heavily mined. Meanwhile, a few of our brave soldiers led by subeder Sultan started hand to hand fight in some crushed bunkers.
The intense battle in built up area was reminding me about fierce assaults in built up area in French soil recapitulated by Von Romel in his famous book ‘The Attack.’
It lasted for nearly 2 hrs. We had to withdraw from frontline bunkers as mist grew denser causing obstinate bar in visibility.
I was adament to continue assault ignoring ‘No’ of my loyal subeder.
At last, an airburst shell missing my head for an inch stopped my firing. By then, some of my soldiers and the flank led by capt. Matiur Rahman retreated to safer place at back. But that did not deter me or make me daunted.
But when my subeber alarmed me by saying “our first line led by company commander Lieutenant Ibrahim has withdrawn.” I was at a loss. We had to withdraw a bit and wait for the sun that cleared the mist.
We intensified our attack near Ajampur with the help of Indian army and also secured our back support by Capt. Matin leading the Mujahid.
Meanwhile, the PAF sabor started strapping and bombing and the Pakistani tanks started moving their toothed chain towards our front position. But, the counter attack of Indian air force and RR shots silenced the advance of those tanks forever.
The air attack of enemy force continued till 4th December when lieutenant Badi commanding ‘B’ company became Shaheed in his bunker. He and a few of his soldiers including one subeder (Sub. Ashraf 32) lost their facial bones and part of chest.
That did not stop our attack and waves of offence. Lieutenant Selim – my brother took the position of Badi. He played a vital role in our attack leading to our victory. He kept the blood soaked watch of Badi near his heart and vow to take revenge of the death of Badi.
On 5th December evening a temporary ‘lull’ came in Eastern front specially when Brigd. Sadullah – the opponent leader retreated to Brahmanbaria.
On 6th it was all quite in the eastern front – we could hear the voice of migrant eagle piercing the blue sky.
On that morning we packed and ran fast to reach Brahmanbaria and Ashuganj. On our way back to Dhaka Brigd. Shafiullah (later general) commanding officer of our brigade and captain Nasim (later General) CO of the 11th Bengal were attacked by retreating Baluch and FF from Sylhet.
We had some exchange of fire with them before we reached Ashuganj. We did carefully bypass the Pakistani deployment at Ashuganj near end of Bhairav bridge as it was taken care by 10th Bihar of the Indian Army. At the end, we (2nd E. Bengal) reached Demra on 13th December. Again it was my luck that I was allowed by my CO to lead an attack on Gulshan via Badda. One Anis and two other workers of Kawloon restaurant residing in Badda helped me as guide to cross the unknown wet land. One hour passed 14th mid night I reached Gulshan shelling morters and rattling machineguns. I had to withdraw as Brigd. Misra asked my CO to call me back. My adament CO again sent me on 15th night to quell the enemy to make our alternate pathway via Gushan.
When we reached Dhaka crossing Demra, Pagla and Shanir Akhra it was almost evening – Darkness were creeping in grasses and ceramic garden. The sky was being illuminated by tracers and berry lights.
The spree of suddenly turned liberation warriors happy with trigger took some innocent lives including some child like Iqbal, an eleven years boy in an officers quarter in Eskaton.
Our soldiers took refuge in Dhaka stadium on that night.
Some of our boys slept at alleys of stadium market and I had my position at first floor tailors shop ‘The Rajjak’. Me and my CO captain Matiur Rahman slept on the floor laying some dark colored suit pieces.
Next morning, we woke up hearing volleys of fire from few Pakistani soldiers taking position at top of the gallery. My brave brother Shaheed Lieutenant Selim silenced them with admirable marksmanship.
My mother was longing for us – so my brother tried to locate my wandering family haunted by threats of Pakistan army.
But, I had no chance as heavy responsibility to look after my soldiers circumvented my emotional drive. We moved to Gimkhana club at Racecourse to mark it as first Rendezvous of 2nd Bengal in free land.
The flapping flag of newly independent country in green and red welcomed us along with chilling breeze of mid December.
The writer is Chairperson -War Crimes Facts Finding Committee, Bangladesh
Email: dhasan471@gmail.com
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