On December 14, 1971, the Mukti Bahini guerrillas and Indian troops of the allied forces formed resistance to uprooting the largest camp of the Pakistan Army at Shiromoni in Khulna's Phultola. The tank regiment of the occupation forces and its 4,000 members were finally defeated on December 17. The fierce encounter is widely known as the “Battle of Shiromoni”.
On December 7, 1971, the Pak Army was forced to leave the Jessore Cantonment and spread to various areas, including Khulna. Brigadier Muhammad Hayat Ali Khan, the commander of the Khulna Headquarters, along with a large brigade of the Pakistani Army, built camps at several places in Shiromoni, Gilatala, Shyamganj and Teligati areas of Khulna. They set up the biggest camp in the desolate Shiromoni area. Commander Hayat Khan with his armoured and artillery brigades built a defense system around the north and north-west of Khulna city. Moreover, special countermeasures were prepared to plant anti-tank mines on Jessore Road in Shiromoni area from Atra.
A large convoy led by Major Mahendra Singh and Major Gani of the Allied forces, stationed at Chouddo Mile of Phultala, left for Khulna on December 14, receiving no response from the Pakistani forces despite heavy fire and their silence. When the allied forces reached the battlefield in the Shiromoni area, the Pak forces ambushed them from different directions.
On the other hand, an allied unit crossed the Bhairab River through the Eastern Jutmil Gate area and took up a position just east of Shiromoni. From there, they started firing at the Pakistani troops on the western side. At that time, Major Manju and his forces surrounded the Pak army in Shiromoni by fighting from different sides for the whole day on December 15 and 16.
On December 16, the Pak forces surrendered in Dhaka. But Commander Hayat Khan did not accept it and continued to fight. From that night, under the leadership of Major Manju, the all-out frontal battle began. In the face of heavy losses in the night-long battle, the beleaguered Pakistan army decided to surrender at one point in the morning of December 17. Then the defeated Pak army surrendered near Nasu Khan's brick kiln in Shiromoni area.
Due to the fighting, Shiromani Bazar, Gilatala and surrounding areas suffered heavy losses. Hundreds of bullet and shell marks were found on every tree and building till 1980-81.