What happened on Tuesday, October 12, 1971
After preparing a precise plan of action, several groups of freedom fighters launched a coordinated attack on Chilmari port, an important strategic stronghold of the Pak army. After a long battle, the entire Chilmari area, except Balbari railway station and the Wapda building, came under the control of the Mukti Bahini. A large number of Pak soldiers and Razakars were either killed or taken prisoner. Leaving behind a small group of fighters at Chilmari, the main bulk of the Mukti Bahini forces returned to their Roumari base with weapons, ammunition and prisoners of war.
Read the detail of Chilmari war
চিলমারী যুদ্ধ
Arun Kumar Nandi, a disciple of the English Channel crossing champion Brojen Das, a son of Chandpur, Bangladesh, set a world record by swimming for 90:05 hours continuously. On Friday, October 8, at 8:35 am, Arun Nandi started swimming from the College Square pond in Kolkata with the sponsorship of ‘Chandpur Sammilani’ and the organizational aid of ‘Boubazar Byam (Exercise) Somiti’, finishing at 2:40 am this morning. The Bangladesh High Commissioner in Calcutta, Hossain Ali, inaugurated the event. The Bangladesh government published this information in a press release on 12 October.
A group of Pak army soldiers and Razakars from Tangail were attacked by the Kaderia Bahini while on their way to Nagarpur via Elasin, carrying food and supplies. Several Razakars were killed and 11 were wounded in the first round of attack, and the rest were captured by the guerrillas as they tried to flee. All the supplies were seized by the freedom fighters.
The freedom fighters launched a surprise attack on the Pak base at Parashuram. 2 Pak soldiers were killed in this action. Another group of freedom fighters attacked the Pak army patrolling at Ramgarh on the Dhaka-Chittagong road.
Major Mir Shawkat Ali, Commander of Sector 5, took up a position with the help of “Z Force” at Mahratila and Joynagar Tila near Chhatak, intending to attack the Chhatak Fertilizer Factory. When the Pak army received intel about the position of the freedom fighters and proceeded to attack, the freedom fighters resisted, launching a counter-attack. The freedom fighters returned to their base without any casualties, whereas several Pak soldiers were killed or wounded in the face of strong resistance from the guerrillas.
In Sector 2, the freedom fighters attacked the Pak army’s Kalirbazar headquarters with rocket launchers and machine guns. In this attack, 12 Pak soldiers were killed and 4 wounded and two bunkers were destroyed. The freedom fighters returned to their positions safely after the attack.
In Sector 7, the Mukti Bahini launched a fierce attack on the Pak army’s Goragori and Sultanpur positions. The attack killed 50 Pak soldiers and wounded 30 others. On this side, one freedom fighter was injured.
The Mukti Bahini ambushed a group of Pak soldiers in Kagmari, at the Boyra sub-sector of Sector 8. When the Pak army counter-attacked, there was a fierce clash between the two sides. 2 Pak soldiers were killed and many others were injured in the clash.
Freedom fighters attacked a Razakar camp at Bhetkhali in Satkhira. After a brief exchange of fire, the Razakars fled the camp. Afterward, the freedom fighters destroyed the camp with explosives.
On the same day, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Argentina Abdul Momin resigned, announcing his loyalty to Bangladesh.
Speaking at a public meeting in Shimla, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi said that, “The issue of peace in Asia has been exposed to a huge risk by the influx of refugees from Bangladesh to India. Pakistan has created a dire situation on the Bangladesh-India border. India is ready to deal with this situation.”
General Yahya Khan, Pakistan’s chief martial law administrator and president, said in a radio address that the Pakistani army was ‘as steadfast as a mountain in defending the country’. He announced to call the session of the National Assembly on December 27 and the promulgation of the constitution. He said that “The speaker of the National Assembly will be the eldest member of the Council. I will nominate him myself. Immediately after the session, I will form the central government and begin discussions on the draft constitution with the council. From the beginning of the session, counting of the day will start to formulate a constitution of the basis of LFO (Legal Framework Order).” “When hostile forces are at our doorsteps, we have to forget the conflict among ourselves,” he said. “It is clear from India’s intention that they will soon attack Pakistan. However, there is nothing to worry about. My forces are fully aware of this. Pakistan’s heroic army is fully prepared to defend every inch of Pakistan’s land.”
Several leaders, including Abdus Salam Khan, the former provincial head of PPP, Kazi Quader of the Muslim League (Qayyum), and Pir Mohsin Uddin Dudu Miah, the provincial head of Jamiat-e-Ulama Islam, met with the visiting PPP delegation at Hotel Intercontinental. They expressed their desire to join the central Peoples’ Party of Pakistan and participate in the by-elections on a PPP ticket. They reached an agreement on the issue.
The PPP delegation, along with Abdus Salam Khan, Kazi Quader, Pir Mohsin Uddin Dudu Mia, Halimuddin and other local leaders, met with Governor Dr. Malik. The leaders of the delegation discussed the situation in the country and regarding the election. Kawsar Niazi declared that the PPP would nominate candidates for every seat up for election. Niazi said that 22 candidates had already sought nomination from the PPP on this day.
PPP delegation leader Mia Mahmud Ali Kasuri, Secretary Kamal Azfar, and Information Secretary Kawsar Niazi met with Eastern Military Chief Lt. General Niazi. Niazi assured them of free and fair elections.
Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN complained to the General Assembly that India was interfering in Pakistan’s internal affairs and playing with the lives of the East Pakistani refugees.
Abdul Khaleq, General Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami told reporters after he visits West Pakistan that, “The Razakars are not a party force. The Razakars are working under the control of the army. Razakars are giving their lives for the country.” He recommended sending an all-party delegation abroad to tackle the Indian propaganda campaign.
Translated by Mohammad Towhidul Islam
Editorial contribution by Arghya Raihan
Researched, compiled & Edited by Sagar Lohani
Bangalianaa/SL
পড়ুন
ইতিহাসের নৃশংসতম গণহত্যা
দ্বিতীয় মহাকাব্য: প্রধানমন্ত্রী তাজউদ্দীন আহমদের প্রথম বেতার ভাষণ
পড়ুন এখানে
Other days of Roaring 1971:
অগ্নিঝরা একাত্তরের দিনগুলো, বাংলায় পড়ুন:
| মার্চ ১৯৭১ | এপ্রিল ১৯৭১ | মে ১৯৭১ | জুন ১৯৭১ | জুলাই ১৯৭১ |
| আগস্ট ১৯৭১ | সেপ্টেম্বর ১৯৭১ | অক্টোবর ১৯৭১ | নভেম্বর ১৯৭১ | ডিসেম্বর ১৯৭১ |
