More than five decades after risking his life in the Liberation War, freedom fighter Md Atikur Rahman Bhuiyan says the recognition he once fought for remains elusive.
“We fought for the country, not for money. But even today, we do not receive our due respect,” he said, reflecting on his experience as Bangladesh marks Independence Day.
A resident of Bir Baghber village under Belabo police station in Narsingdi, Atikur joined the East Bengal Regiment in 1969 at the age of 18, driven by a desire to serve the country.
After completing training in Chittagong, he was posted in Joydebpur under the Second Bengal Regiment, unaware that he would soon be drawn into a full-scale war.
A sudden descent into war
The turning point came on the night of March 28, 1971, when Pakistani forces launched an attack on their position.
“As the situation worsened, we retreated to Kapasia, where about 200 people had gathered,” he said.
Later that night, they were moved by launch and then by train to Mymensingh.
Initially told they would be sent to Dhaka for a counterattack, they were instead placed on a goods train and taken toward an unknown destination.
“After crossing Bhairab Bridge, we understood where we were going,” he recalled.
They were eventually transported by truck to tea gardens in Sylhet, where they endured extreme hardship without food or basic facilities.
“After staying without food, a piece of bread felt like a huge blessing,” he said.
Regrouping and resistance
The Second and Fourth Bengal regiments later fought together in Moulvibazar, where several fighters were killed.
From there, they moved to India’s Tripura state, possibly in Golgolia, where they regrouped and received further direction.
There, Atikur met senior commanders including Major Shafiullah, Major Ziaur Rahman and General MAG Osmani.
“We were made to take an oath again, to free Bangladesh from Pakistan,” he said.
For the next three months, they carried out daily operations in Moulvibazar, returning to Tripura at night.
“We wore the same clothes every day. There were no extra garments. Sores developed on our feet, elbows and knees,” he said.
“Later, we would bathe, dry our clothes and wear them again. The suffering cannot be described.”
Expanding operations
After three months, the group returned to Belabo and established a camp. Atikur joined ‘D’ Company alongside members of ‘C’ Company under Idris of Raipura.
They moved to Iluchia village in Nikli, Kishoreganj, and conducted operations and rescue missions in surrounding areas.
However, their plans were often compromised by members of the Peace Committee acting as Razakars.
“They exposed our plans to the Pakistani forces, putting us at great risk,” he said.
The group later moved to Bajitpur and carried out several operations. When they learned of a planned attack on Belabo, they returned to resist, but once again their plans were leaked.
Pakistani forces surrounded them and called for surrender.
“We did not surrender. We fought from our positions,” he said.
Two fighters were killed in that battle.
Battles across multiple fronts
Subsequent engagements took place in South Daud, Sararchar, Narayanpur and Kalia Prasad.
In Sararchar, Atikur witnessed a soldier being shot from the back of the head, with the bullet exiting through the teeth, yet the man survived.
During the capture of Kalia Prasad, he saw local residents, particularly women, attack captured Pakistani soldiers.
“They said the Pakistani forces had killed their family members the same way,” he said.
Further fighting took place in Srinagar after they took position in Narayanpur, where many homes had been burned.
Returning to Belabo, the group fell behind and lost 14 fighters. Despite exhaustion, they marched on foot via Shibpur to respond to an attack in Putia, where two more fighters were killed.
After liberating Putia, they advanced through Narayanpur to Raipura and took control as the war intensified.
“Indian forces also came to support us, and Pakistani forces began to surrender,” he said.
Hardship and loss
Describing wartime conditions, Atikur said fighters often went without food, rest or medical care.
“No food, no bed, no sleep. We fought on empty stomachs, carried the injured without treatment, fought by day and guarded at night,” he said.
During Ramadan, they continued fighting while fasting.
He also recounted personal loss, saying Pakistani forces killed his brother-in-law’s father and left his body in a jute field.
Around 10 to 12 days before independence, during preparations to raise the flag at Raipura Primary Training Center, commander Sadat Ali Mukhtar was killed. Subedar Gafur was also present at the time.
“We were 72 fighters then,” he said.
Victory and aftermath
On their way to Kapasia, they learned that Pakistani forces had surrendered.
“We celebrated all night on the riverbank. After nine months of suffering, the joy cannot be expressed,” he said.
Despite that victory, Atikur says the years since independence have not brought the recognition he expected.
He alleges discrimination linked to his political affiliation with the BNP, claiming his children -- despite being highly educated -- were unable to secure jobs even with freedom fighter certificates.
After the war, he completed his studies but struggled to find employment. Although he was offered an opportunity to return to his previous job, most of his colleagues had died, and he ultimately remained unemployed.
He also alleged that the number of listed freedom fighters has increased significantly over the years, undermining the recognition of genuine fighters.
A call for dignity
Apart from a government allowance, Atikur said he has received little support from successive administrations, including the interim government, despite seeking assistance from local authorities.
Reflecting on independence, he said: “We got a map and a red-green flag. But we have not achieved the Sonar Bangla we dreamed of.”
He added that ongoing instability continues to challenge the country’s progress.
His expectations from the current government are modest.
“We did not fight expecting anything. We only want the country to run properly and for us to receive our rightful respect,” he said.
