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{{Short description|Battle fought during Bangladesh | {{Short description|Battle fought during Bangladesh War of Independence}} | ||
{{distinguish|Defence of Kamalpur}} | |||
{{infobox military conflict | {{infobox military conflict | ||
| conflict = Battle of Kamalpur | | conflict = Battle of Kamalpur | ||
| partof = | | partof = [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] | ||
| image = | | image = Kamalpur_Memorial,_Bakshigonj,_Jamalpur.jpg | ||
| caption = | | caption = Kamalpur Memorial in Bangladesh | ||
| date = 12 June | | date = 12 June – 4 December 1971 | ||
| place = Kamalpur, [[Jamalpur District|Jamalpur]], [[ | | place = [[Baksiganj Upazila|Kamalpur]], [[Jamalpur District|Jamalpur]], [[East Pakistan]] | ||
| coordinates = | | coordinates = | ||
| map_type = | | map_type = | ||
| latitude = | | latitude = | ||
| longitude = | | longitude = | ||
| map_size = | | map_size = | ||
| map_caption = | | map_caption = | ||
| map_label = | | map_label = | ||
| territory = | | territory = Capture of [[Jamalpur District|Jamalpur]]<ref name="The News Today"/> | ||
| result = | | result = Bangladeshi victory | ||
| status = | | status = | ||
| combatant1 = {{flagicon|Bangladesh|1971}} [[Bangladesh]] | | combatant1 = {{flagicon|Bangladesh|1971}} [[Bangladesh]] | ||
* [[File:Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg|border|23px]] [[Mukti Bahini | * [[File:Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg|border|23px]] [[Mukti Bahini]] | ||
'''Supported by''':<br/> | |||
{{flagicon|india}} India (from November) | |||
| combatant2 = {{flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Pakistan]] | | combatant2 = {{flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Pakistan]] | ||
* {{flagicon image|Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg}} [[Pakistan Army]] | * {{flagicon image|Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg}} [[Pakistan Army]] | ||
| commander1 = | | commander1 = [[File:Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg|border|23px]] [[Ziaur Rahman]]<br />[[File:Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg|border|23px]] [[Abu Taher]] ([[Wounded in action|WIA]])<br />[[File:Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg|border|23px]] Moinul Hossain.<br />[[File:Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg|border|23px]] [[Hafiz Uddin Ahmad]] ([[Wounded in action|WIA]])<br />[[File:Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg|border|23px]] Syed Sadruzzaman Helal<br />[[File:Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg|border|23px]] [[Salauddin Mumtaz]] {{KIA}}<br />{{flagicon|india}} Gurbax Singh<br />{{flagicon|india}} Hardep Singh Kler | ||
| commander2 = | | commander2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg}} [[Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi|A. A. K. Niazi]]<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg}} [[Ahsan Malik]] | ||
| units1 = [[File:Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg|border|23px]] [[Z Force (Bangladesh)|Z Force]] | | units1 = {{tree list}} | ||
* [[File:Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg|border|23px]] 1st East Bengal Regiment | *[[File:Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg|border|23px]] [[Z Force (Bangladesh)|Z Force]] | ||
| units2 = | **[[File:Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg|border|23px]] [[1st East Bengal Regiment]] | ||
| strength1 = | {{tree list/end}} | ||
| strength2 = | | units2 = {{tree list}} | ||
| notes = | *{{flagicon image|Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg}} 31st Baluch Regiment | ||
**24th [[Cavalry]] ([[Frontier Force Regiment|Frontier Force]]) | |||
{{tree list/end}} | |||
| strength1 = [[File:Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg|border|23px]] 3,000<ref name="bangladeshpost.net" /><br />{{flagicon|india}} 4,000 | |||
| strength2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg}} 7,000 | |||
| casualties1 = [[File:Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg|border|23px]] 194 killed<ref name="bangladeshpost.net" /><br />{{flagicon|india}} Unknown | |||
| casualties2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg}} 497 killed<ref name="bangladeshpost.net" /><br>162—220 captured<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/kamalpur-phulbari-tasted-freedom-on-this-day-in-71-53244|title=Kamalpur, Phulbari tasted freedom on this day in '71|work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]]|date=4 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="dhakatribune.com" /> | |||
| notes = | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{Campaignbox Bangladesh Liberation War}} | {{Campaignbox Bangladesh Liberation War}} | ||
The | The '''Battle of Kamalpur''' ({{langx|bn|কামালপুরের যুদ্ধ}}), is one of the most significant [[Engagement (military)|military engagements]] fought by the [[Mukti Bahini]] in 1971 during [[Bangladesh Liberation War|its war of independence from Pakistan]]. The Pakistan Army set up a [[military camp]] at Kamalpur (now in [[Baksiganj Upazila]] of [[Jamalpur District]]) which was attacked by 1st [[East Bengal Regiment]] of [[Z Force (Bangladesh)|Z Force]] several times. The first attack was made on June 12, and a second attack was made on July 31, 1971, also another attack at 22 October 1971 and in total, there were 18 battles in Kamalpur. | ||
== | ==Camp at Kamalpur== | ||
Kamalpur, a border area, was known as the gateway to [[Dhaka]] from the northern sector under Sector 11, the central sector and the largest one of | Kamalpur, a border area, was known as the gateway to [[Dhaka]] from the northern sector under [[List of sectors in the Bangladesh Liberation War|Sector 11]], the central sector and the largest one of the [[Mukti Bahini]].<ref name="archive">{{Cite Banglapedia|article=Taher, Colonel Abu}}</ref> It was situated on the mouth of the old [[Brahmaputra River|Brahmaputra]] and on the road link with [[Mymensingh]] via [[Jamalpur District|Jamalpur]].<ref name="scribd">[https://www.scribd.com/doc/23786918/Liberation-War-Of-Bangladesh A document on Bangladesh Liberation War published in December 1999], Retrieved 6 July 2025.</ref> [[Pakistan Army]] set up a [[military camp]] at Kamalpur. This camp was tactically crucial for the Pakistan Army because its fall would cause the Pakistan Army to lose control over strongholds in Jamalpur—Mymensingh—Dacca region.<ref name="pedia">{{Cite Banglapedia|article=Bakshiganj Upazila}}</ref> | ||
The Pakistani troops made concrete bunkers which contained shell proof roofs. To provide communication between bunkers, they dug communication trenches. The camp perimeter included [[Booby trap]]s and [[Land mine|mine]]fields as | The Pakistani troops made concrete bunkers which contained shell-proof roofs. To provide communication between bunkers, they dug communication trenches. The camp perimeter included [[Booby trap]]s and [[Land mine|mine]] fields as defence.<ref name="The News Today">{{Cite web |title=A report on The News Today published on December 11, 2009. |url=http://www.newstoday-bd.com/home.asp?newsdate=12%2F11%2F2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721043841/http://www.newstoday-bd.com/home.asp?newsdate=12%2F11%2F2009 |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |access-date=October 12, 2019}}</ref><ref name="scribd"/> | ||
About two companies of 31 regiment excluding [[Razakars (Pakistan)| | About two companies of 31 regiment excluding [[Razakars (Pakistan)|Razakar paramilitaries]] constituted the enemy force.<ref name="The News Today"/><ref name="scribd"/> | ||
==Attacks on Kamalpur Camp== | ==Attacks on Kamalpur Camp== | ||
On June 12, 1971, the first attack was launched by Z- | On June 12, 1971, the first attack was launched by Z-Force at Kamalpur Camp. Pakistani troops tried to enter the villages of [[Sarishabari Upazila]] of [[Jamalpur District|Jamalpur district]] but failed, as the villagers confronted them but local civilians were also killed. While retreating, the [[Pakistan Army]] set fire in the villages.<ref name="The News Today"/> | ||
The second attack was led by | The second attack was led by [[Ziaur Rahman]] on July 31, 1971. Zia was supported by Major Moinul Hossain, Captain Hafiz and Captain [[Salauddin Mumtaz]].<ref name="scribd"/><ref name="pedia"/><ref name="star">{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-15470|title=The Battle of Kamalpur-31 July 1971|work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]]|date=15 December 2007}}</ref> The attack was made with two companies ''Delta'' and ''Bravo'' from the North – East of the enemy camp. Captain Salauddin Mumtaz commanded ''Delta'' on the left and Captain Hafiz commanded ''Bravo'' on the right. As the troops were moving towards the enemy post, the enemy artillery started firing heavily. As a result, the progress of the two companies became slow. The communication system collapsed because of heavy rain. However, the troops continued moving forward and entered the outer perimeter of the enemy camp. Though casualties were increasing, the fighters made progress through the minefield. At one stage of the fight, two artillery shells dropped in front of Captain Salauddin Mumtaz and killed him. And three [[Mukti Bahini]] fighters were killed trying to save him, and Captain Hafiz was injured. In the morning at 7:30, Major Moinul Hossain, the battalion commander of 1st [[East Bengal Regiment]] ordered the [[battalion]] to retreat.<ref name="star" /> | ||
India joined the war at late November, brigades were deployed to capture Kamalpur, however Indian forces made more than 3 unsuccessful attempts to take Kamalpur which led to deterioration of moral, and [[Casualty (person)|casualties]] heavily increased and finally on December 4, the Pakistan Army was overrun and withdrawn and fell back to their headquarters at [[Jamalpur, Bangladesh|Jamalpur]] after an attack by Bangladesh Forces and the Indian Army. | |||
The Battle of Kamalpur was one of the deadliest major [[Engagement (military)|military engagements]] in the [[Bangladesh Liberation War|1971 war of independence]], 194 fighters of the Mukti Bahini were killed in the battle.<ref name="dhakatribune.com">{{Cite news |date=3 December 2020 |title=Kamalpur liberation day Friday |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/232276/kamalpur-liberation-day-friday |work=[[Dhaka Tribune]]}}</ref><ref name="bangladeshpost.net">{{Cite web |title=On this day Kamalpur was liberated |url=https://bangladeshpost.net/posts/on-this-day-kamalpur-was-liberated-100616 |access-date=26 April 2024 |website=Bangladesh Post |language=en}}</ref> Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army lost 497 soldiers in the battle and 200 soldiers were captured.<ref name="dhakatribune.com" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=4 December 2014 |title=Kamalpur, Phulbari tasted freedom on this day in '71 |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/kamalpur-phulbari-tasted-freedom-on-this-day-in-71-53244 |access-date=26 April 2024 |work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
In the aftermath of the battle, Pakistani forces were defeated.<ref name="The News Today" /><ref name="dhakatribune.com"/><ref name="bangladeshpost.net"/> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Timeline of the Bangladesh Liberation War]] | * [[Timeline of the Bangladesh Liberation War]] | ||
* [[Military plans of the Bangladesh Liberation War]] | * [[Military plans of the Bangladesh Liberation War]] | ||
* [[Pakistan Army order of battle, December 1971]] | * [[Pakistan Army order of battle, December 1971]] | ||
* [[Evolution of Pakistan Eastern Command plan]] | * [[Evolution of Pakistan Eastern Command plan]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Defence of Kamalpur]] | ||
* [[ | * [[List of sectors in the Bangladesh Liberation War]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
{{Coord|25. | {{Coord|25.2126|N|89.8692|E|region:BD_type:event|display=title}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kamalpur}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Kamalpur 1971-06}} | ||
[[Category:1971 | [[Category:Battles of the India–Pakistan war of 1971]] | ||
[[Category:Battles of the Bangladesh Liberation War]] | [[Category:Battles of the Bangladesh Liberation War]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Jamalpur District]] | ||
[[Category:Mukti Bahini]] | [[Category:Mukti Bahini]] | ||
[[Category:1971 in | [[Category:June 1971 in Bangladesh]] | ||
[[Category:July 1971 in Bangladesh]] | |||
[[Category:August 1971 in Bangladesh]] | |||
[[Category:September 1971 in Bangladesh]] | |||
[[Category:October 1971 in Bangladesh]] | |||
[[Category:November 1971 in Bangladesh]] | |||
[[Category:December 1971 in Bangladesh]] | |||
[[Category:Attacks on military installations in 1971]] | |||
[[Category:Attacks on military installations in Bangladesh]] | |||
Latest revision as of 12:19, 19 March 2026
| Battle of Kamalpur | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Bangladesh Liberation War | |||||||||
 Kamalpur Memorial in Bangladesh | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
|
Supported by:  India (from November) | |||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
 Ziaur Rahman Abu Taher (WIA) Moinul Hossain. Hafiz Uddin Ahmad (WIA) Syed Sadruzzaman Helal Salauddin Mumtaz † Gurbax Singh Hardep Singh Kler |
 A. A. K. Niazi Ahsan Malik | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
|
3,000[2] 4,000 |
7,000 | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
|
194 killed[2] Unknown |
497 killed[2] 162—220 captured[3][4] | ||||||||
The Battle of Kamalpur (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), is one of the most significant military engagements fought by the Mukti Bahini in 1971 during its war of independence from Pakistan. The Pakistan Army set up a military camp at Kamalpur (now in Baksiganj Upazila of Jamalpur District) which was attacked by 1st East Bengal Regiment of Z Force several times. The first attack was made on June 12, and a second attack was made on July 31, 1971, also another attack at 22 October 1971 and in total, there were 18 battles in Kamalpur.
Camp at Kamalpur[edit | edit source]
Kamalpur, a border area, was known as the gateway to Dhaka from the northern sector under Sector 11, the central sector and the largest one of the Mukti Bahini.[5] It was situated on the mouth of the old Brahmaputra and on the road link with Mymensingh via Jamalpur.[6] Pakistan Army set up a military camp at Kamalpur. This camp was tactically crucial for the Pakistan Army because its fall would cause the Pakistan Army to lose control over strongholds in Jamalpur—Mymensingh—Dacca region.[7]
The Pakistani troops made concrete bunkers which contained shell-proof roofs. To provide communication between bunkers, they dug communication trenches. The camp perimeter included Booby traps and mine fields as defence.[1][6]
About two companies of 31 regiment excluding Razakar paramilitaries constituted the enemy force.[1][6]
Attacks on Kamalpur Camp[edit | edit source]
On June 12, 1971, the first attack was launched by Z-Force at Kamalpur Camp. Pakistani troops tried to enter the villages of Sarishabari Upazila of Jamalpur district but failed, as the villagers confronted them but local civilians were also killed. While retreating, the Pakistan Army set fire in the villages.[1]
The second attack was led by Ziaur Rahman on July 31, 1971. Zia was supported by Major Moinul Hossain, Captain Hafiz and Captain Salauddin Mumtaz.[6][7][8] The attack was made with two companies Delta and Bravo from the North – East of the enemy camp. Captain Salauddin Mumtaz commanded Delta on the left and Captain Hafiz commanded Bravo on the right. As the troops were moving towards the enemy post, the enemy artillery started firing heavily. As a result, the progress of the two companies became slow. The communication system collapsed because of heavy rain. However, the troops continued moving forward and entered the outer perimeter of the enemy camp. Though casualties were increasing, the fighters made progress through the minefield. At one stage of the fight, two artillery shells dropped in front of Captain Salauddin Mumtaz and killed him. And three Mukti Bahini fighters were killed trying to save him, and Captain Hafiz was injured. In the morning at 7:30, Major Moinul Hossain, the battalion commander of 1st East Bengal Regiment ordered the battalion to retreat.[8]
India joined the war at late November, brigades were deployed to capture Kamalpur, however Indian forces made more than 3 unsuccessful attempts to take Kamalpur which led to deterioration of moral, and casualties heavily increased and finally on December 4, the Pakistan Army was overrun and withdrawn and fell back to their headquarters at Jamalpur after an attack by Bangladesh Forces and the Indian Army.
The Battle of Kamalpur was one of the deadliest major military engagements in the 1971 war of independence, 194 fighters of the Mukti Bahini were killed in the battle.[4][2] Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army lost 497 soldiers in the battle and 200 soldiers were captured.[4][9] In the aftermath of the battle, Pakistani forces were defeated.[1][4][2]
See also[edit | edit source]
- Timeline of the Bangladesh Liberation War
- Military plans of the Bangladesh Liberation War
- Pakistan Army order of battle, December 1971
- Evolution of Pakistan Eastern Command plan
- Defence of Kamalpur
- List of sectors in the Bangladesh Liberation War
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "A report on The News Today published on December 11, 2009". Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "On this day Kamalpur was liberated". Bangladesh Post. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ↑ "Kamalpur, Phulbari tasted freedom on this day in '71". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). 4 December 2014.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Kamalpur liberation day Friday". Dhaka Tribune. 3 December 2020.
- ↑ Islam, Sirajul; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir, eds. (2012). "Taher, Colonel Abu". Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 A document on Bangladesh Liberation War published in December 1999, Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Islam, Sirajul; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir, eds. (2012). "Bakshiganj Upazila". Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "The Battle of Kamalpur-31 July 1971". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). 15 December 2007.
- ↑ "Kamalpur, Phulbari tasted freedom on this day in '71". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). 4 December 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2024.