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Battle of Hilli

2022-11-02T11:23:09Z

2405:201:4018:62B1:81FF:1316:BC7E:7D55:

{{short description|Battle of the Bangladeshi Liberation War}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Battle of Hilli
| partof = the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]
| image = Battleofhilli.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = Major Niazi of 31 Punjab regiment surrendering to
Lt Col V.R. Swaminathan of 22 Maratha Light infantry after the battle of Hilli/Bogura on 16 December 1971
| date = 22 November – 18 December 1971<br />({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=11|day1=22|year1=1971|month2=12|day2=18|year2=1971}})
| place = Hilli–[[Bogura]] area in northern [[Bangladesh]]
| territory =
| result = Indian and Bangladeshi victory<ref name="Global security"/>
| combatant1 = {{flag|Bangladesh|1971}}
* {{flagicon image|Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg}} [[Mukti Bahini]]
{{flag|India}} (22–18 December 1971)
* {{army|India}}
| combatant2 = {{flag|Pakistan}}
* {{army|Pakistan}}
| commander1 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg}} [[Quazi Nuruzzaman]] <br> [[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|20px]]
[[Lt.-Gen M.L Thapan]]
[[Lachhman Singh Lehl]]
| commander2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg}} [[Tajammul Hussain Malik]]{{POW}}
| units1 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg}} [[List of sectors in Bangladesh Liberation War|Sector 7]] <br> {{flagicon image|Flag of the Indian Army.svg}}XXXIII Corps
20th Indian Mountain Division
| units2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg}} 205th Mountaineering Brigade
| strength1 = 15000-18000
| strength2 = 2000-2500
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 =
| notes =
| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Bangladesh Liberation War}}
{{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}}
{{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani Wars}}
}}

The '''Battle of Hilli''' or the '''Battle of Bogura''' was a major battle fought in the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]. It is generally regarded as the most severe [[pitched battle]] that took place in [[East Pakistan]], now [[Bangladesh]]. The battle of Hilli took place between 23 November 1971 and 11 December 1971,<ref name="Global security">{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/sqn-37.htm |title=Battle of Hilli |website=Global Security}}</ref> although the final surrender took place on 18 December 1971.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Battle of Hilli [www.bharat-rakshak.com] |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/Galleries/Wars/1971/East/0513.jpg.html |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=www.bharat-rakshak.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-24 |title=1971.11.24 {{!}} The Battle of Hilli- A Narration by Pakistani Bde Commander |url=https://songramernotebook.com/archives/91780 |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=সংগ্রামের নোটবুক |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=1971 War: The Greatest Victory |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2021/columnists/1971-war--the-greatest-victory.html |access-date=2021-11-11 |work=The Pioneer |language=en}}</ref>

==The battle==
The main objective of the [[Indian Army]] was to control [[Bogura]], thereby cutting off Pakistan forces in the north from the rest of East Pakistan. The best way of getting to Bogura was through Hilli. The frontal assault on the Pakistan fortifications took a huge toll on both sides before Indian forces finally broke through by establishing a block in the rear of Pakistani forces in Hilli, upon which the 4FF Battalion in Hilli withdrew for the defence of Bogura.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gallantry Awards {{!}} Ministry of Defence, Government of India |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/wars_warmemorialmuseum/cat/2 |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=www.gallantryawards.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1971 War: Battle of Bogra |url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/1971-war-battle-of-bogra/ |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=Indian Defence Review |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Indian forces===
The Indian side consisted of the 20 Indian Mountain Division led by Maj-Gen. Lachhman Singh. The constituent units of this division were 66 Brigade, 165 Brigade, 202 Brigade and 340 Brigade (all infantry units), 3 Armoured Brigade, 471 Engineer Brigade and two artillery brigades augmented by 33 Corps Artillery. The ground troops were aided by aerial support provided by the [[Indian Air Force]] which had acquired [[air superiority]] in the east and were armed with rockets, guns, and 1000lb bombs.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zakaria |first=Anam |title=Remembering the war of 1971 in East Pakistan |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2019/12/16/remembering-the-war-of-1971-in-east-pakistan |access-date=2021-11-11 |type=Opinion |work=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How India Won the All-Important Battle of Pirgunj in 1971 |url=https://thewire.in/security/india-east-pakistan-war-1971-pirgunj |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=The Wire}}</ref>

===Pakistani forces===
On the Pakistan side, the Area of Responsibility (AOR) was on 205 Brigade of Pakistan Army led by Brigadier (later retired as General) Tajammul Hussain Malik. He had joined the brigade four days prior, when he volunteered to leave GHQ, Rawalpindi and command troops in the East Pakistan. He put up a stiff resistance that earned praise from many quarters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Major General Naeem-27 Cavalry-great Platoon Commander-Great General, and man of substance |url=https://csio-ops.com/blogs/news/major-general-naeem-27-cavalry |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=csio-ops |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ahmed |first=Colonel nazir |title=East Pakistan 1971 distortion and lies |year=2013 |edition=2017 |location=Karachi}}</ref>

===Major events of the battle===
[[Tajammal Hussain Malik]] had placed screens along the railway line nearby and at the Railway Station complex in the area. The defensive positions were sited in depth to cover all routes leading into East Pakistan. They fought the entire Indian division and the [[Mukti Bahini]] soldiers until the Indians decided to bypass Hilli and establish a block in its rear. Brigadier Tajammal Hussain Malik then withdrew the forces in Hilli to avoid being cut off and to defend from the Bogura itself.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-11-27 |title=A heroic 1971 battle remembered |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1222553 |access-date=2021-11-11 |work=Dawn |language=en}}</ref>

Bogura was surrounded from all sides by the greater numbers of the Indian army and the Mukti Bahini. Brigadier Tajammal Hussain Malik's resistance continued even after the Pakistani Eastern Command surrendered in Dhaka on 16 December. He, in his staff car with flags and stars uncovered, went around the streets of Bogura motivating his soldiers to keep fighting. The Indian army had by then, surrounded the city of Bogura. The Brigade Major along with some 50 ORs surrendered, but Tajammal Hussain Malik, still full of vigour, refused to give up.

==Significance==
The battle was a significant one as it involved great personal valour on both sides. This is highlighted by the fact that soldiers on either side won their nation's highest military honours. One of the infantry battalions of the 20 Indian Mountain Division [[5/11 Gorkha Rifles]] distinguished itself here and later earned the battle honour Bogura for itself, the commanding officer of the Indian battalion, then Lt Col [[Francis Dias|F.T. Dias]] later rose to the rank of Lieutenant General in the Indian Army. In fact other than the battalion commander one of the company commanders, then Maj J B S Yadava become Lieutenant General and Maj Abjeet Mamik rose to become a Brigadier and Capt B K Bopanna later become Lieutenant General in the Indian Armed Forces, which is a unique honour to the soldiers of an army.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lalotra |first=Gautam |date=2020-06-11 |title=Gorkha Rifles: Indian Army's Daredevil Infantry Regiment Which Has Turned The Tide of Many Battles With Famous Khukri Charge |url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/know-about-gorkha-rifles-one-of-indian-armys-high-acclaimed-and-decorated-infantry-regiments-1257739 |access-date=2021-11-11 |work=ABP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gorkhas of the Indian Army and India-Nepal Relations |url=https://idsa.in/idsacomments/gorkhas-indian-army-and-india-nepal-relations_vdeshpande_140217 |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Alexander |first=Deepa |date=2021-07-15 |title=Ian Cardozo, who amputated his own leg on the battlefield, writes about the 1971 Indo-Pak War |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/major-general-ian-cardozo-interview-book-1971-indo-pak-war-grit-and-glory/article35339873.ece |access-date=2021-11-11 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

This battle was also unique in that it had started before the official start of the India Pakistan war but continued right until the formal surrender of Pakistan.

==Awards==
===Bangladesh===
* [[Major]] [[Quazi Nuruzzaman]] was awarded [[Bir Uttom]], the second-highest award for individual gallantry in Bangladesh, but he rejected it as thousands of Mukti Bahini volunteers were killed and did not receive any recognition.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Khan |first=A. Qayyum |date=2012-05-06 |title=Lieutenant Colonel Quazi Nuruzzaman: A remembrance |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-232857 |access-date=2021-11-11 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Tributes to Nuruzzaman |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2011/05/07/tributes-to-nuruzzaman |access-date=2021-11-11 |work=bdnews24.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Muktibahini wins victory - Maj Gen ATM Abdul Wahab 365p |url=https://pdfcoffee.com/muktibahini-wins-victory-maj-gen-atm-abdul-wahab-365p-pdf-free.html |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=pdfcoffee.com |language=en}}</ref>

===India===
* [[Lance Naik]] [[Albert Ekka]], 14 Guards of the Indian Army, who fought in this battle, received the only [[Param Vir Chakra]] to be awarded in the Eastern Sector during the 1971 War. Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military decoration.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rawat |first=Rachna Bisht |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/911892987 |title=Jāmbāza : Parama Wīra Cakkara wijetā, bahādura sūramiāṃ dīāṃ kahāṇīāṃ |year=2015 |isbn=978-93-5204-045-2 |oclc=911892987}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Albert Ekka, braveheart from Jharkhand |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/features/albert-ekka-braveheart-from-jharkhand-212006 |access-date=2021-11-11 |work=The Tribune |location=Chandigarh |language=en}}</ref>
* Maj J B S Yadava (later Lt General) and Maj Abhijeet Mamik (later Brigadier), both then company commanders of [[5/11 Gorkha Rifles]] of the Indian Army were awarded [[Vir Chakra]] the third highest gallantry award of India.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=V. K. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/865537715 |title=Courage and conviction : an autobiography |date=2013 |others=Kunal Verma |isbn=978-93-82277-57-6 |location=New Delhi |oclc=865537715}}</ref>

===Pakistan===
* [[Muhammad Akram|Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed]] of Pakistan won the [[Nishan-E-Haider]], the highest military honour of the country.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-12-04 |title=Pakistan Army pays tribute to Major Akram on 49th martyrdom anniversary |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/2274665/pakistan-army-pays-tribute-to-major-akram-on-49th-martyrdom-anniversary |access-date=2021-11-11 |work=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nishan-e-Haiders of Pakistan |url=https://www.hilal.gov.pk/eng-article/detail/NDkx.html |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=www.hilal.gov.pk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Nishan-e-Haider – The Supreme Military Award for the valiant Pak armed forces' martyrs |url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/455764-Nishan-e-Haider-Military-Award-armed-forces-Pak-Army- |access-date=2021-11-11 |work=Dunya News}}</ref>
* Lieutenant Colonel (later Brigadier) Tariq Anees Malik of Pakistan received Sitar-e-Jurat.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Niazi |first=Amir Abdullah Khan |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/39546284 |title=The betrayal of East Pakistan |date=1998 |publisher=Manohar |isbn=81-7304-256-X |location=New Delhi |oclc=39546284}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Timeline of the Bangladesh Liberation War]]
* [[Military plans of the Bangladesh Liberation War]]
* [[Mitro Bahini order of battle]]
* [[Pakistan Army order of battle, December 1971]]
* [[Evolution of Pakistan Eastern Command plan]]
* [[1971 Bangladesh genocide]]
* [[Operation Searchlight]]
* [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts]]
* [[Muhammad Akram|Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed]]
* [[Albert Ekka|L Nk Albert Ekka]]
* [[Hamidur Rahman]]
* [[Last Stand]]

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
* {{cite book |author=General A.A.K.Niazi |title=Betrayal of East Pakistan |publisher=Manohar Publishers |year=1998 |isbn=81-7304-256-X}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060116062602/http://www.indianairforce.nic.in/afsqnn37.htm Indian Air Force]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060205200131/http://defencejournal.com/oct99/battle-hilli.htm Defence Journal of Pakistan]

==Further reading==
# Lehl, Major General Lachhman Singh. ''Indian Sword Strikes in East Pakistan''
# Lehl, Major General Lachhman Singh. ''Victory in Bangladesh''
# Malik, Major General Tajamal Hussain, ''Story of my Struggle''

{{Bangladesh liberation}}
{{1971 Indo-Pak War}}

{{Military of Pakistan}}

{{Coord|24|51|N|89|22|E|display=title}}

[[Category:Battles of Indo-Pakistani wars|Hilli]]
[[Category:Battles of the Bangladesh Liberation War|Hilli]]
[[Category:1971 in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:November 1971 events in Asia]]
[[Category:December 1971 events in Asia]]

Battle of Hilli

2022-11-02T11:23:09Z

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