Bangshipara Battle Day observed

On November 6, 1971, Bangshipara ghat at Pabna's Atgharia upazila witnessed one of the fiercest encounters fought during the Liberation War. Twelve freedom fighters and three villagers were martyred in a face-to-face battle with the Pakistani occupation forces on the bank of Chandrabati River at Bangshipara village. In an interview with the Dhaka Tribune, Atgharia Muktijoddha Sangsad Commander Johurul Haque recalled how the battle began after an ambush was set for the occupation forces. “Around 100 freedom fighters were waiting by the riverbank as they were informed the occupation forces, including the Pakistani army and the members of the Razakar Bahini, were to move past the area in the morning,” he said. The occupation forces were on patrol to unearth the hideout of the Mukti Bahini in the area. They were on high alert as nine members of the Razakar Bahini had already been killed in an ambush by the Mukti Bahini in nearby Beruan village on November 3. Around 10am on November 6, it was the Mukti Bahini again who fired first at the occupation forces, beginning a fierce gun battle which lasted several hours. “At least 50 members of the occupation forces, including Captain Taher of the Pakistani army, were killed in the encounter,” claimed Johurul. For the freedom fighters, Abul Kashem, Abdul Khalek, Nayeb Ali, Abdur Rashid, Abdul Malek, Shahidul Islam, Abdus Sattar, Monsur Ali, Abdur Razzak, Mohsin Ali and Noor Mohammad lost their lives on the battlefield. Atgharia upazila administration along with the relatives of the martyr freedom fighters observed the 47th anniversary of the Bangshipara Battle Day on Monday with due fervour. They placed floral wreaths at the memorial structure constructed on the battle site. The upazila administration and the Muktijoddha Sangsad held a discussion on the day. Special prayers were also offered for the salvation of the departed souls.