Bangladesh celebrates Victory Day (Bijoy Dibosh) on December 16 every year. On this day in 1971, Bangladesh achieved a historic victory over the Pakistan Armed Forces, marking the birth of an independent Bangladesh. After nine sanguinary months of conflict and war, the Pakistan Armed Forces surrendered at the Racecourse Ground (now Suhrawardy Udyan) in Dhaka.
The guerrilla warfare by Mukti Bahini was instrumental in weakening the might of Pakistani military forces. This day is not only a commemoration of the nation’s liberation and its progress, but also an opportunity to reflect on and honour the sacrifices of those who fought for justice and democracy.
The prelude to Liberation
The struggle for the independence of Bangladesh began immediately after 1947, when the Indian subcontinent was divided into two: India and Pakistan. Pakistan itself was divided into two regions, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and West Pakistan.
East Pakistan always faced discrimination at the hands of West Pakistan in every sector, including political, economic, cultural, etc. The imposition of Urdu as the state language further alienated the Bengali people, igniting the Language Movement in 1952, which laid the foundation for the later struggle for independence.
The situation reached its tipping point on March 25, 1971, when the Pakistani army conducted “Operation Searchlight.” During the initial days of the operation, they killed thousands of civilians, political activists and intellectuals. And this headed onto the Liberation war.
Bangladeshi Resistance Forces named “Mukti Bahini” retaliated against the Pakistani army. The Mukti Bahini operated under the leadership of General MAG Osmani, who divided Bangladesh into eleven operational sectors. This decentralization allowed effective coordination of guerrilla operations across a vast and diverse terrain.
Guerrilla tactics a turning point
The Mukti Bahini started coordinating its attacks from mid April 1971. Guerrilla attacks were coordinated with different types of tactics, such as sabotage, sudden ambushes, hit-and-run attacks. They relied on local villagers for food, shelter, and intelligence.
The geographical terrain of Bangladesh, including rivers, forests, and swamps, provided natural cover that allowed them to evade detection and launch surprise attacks. One of the notable achievements was “Battle of Gazipur” (June 1971), where a surprise attack on a Pakistani military outpost demonstrated the effectiveness of guerrilla tactics in the early months of the air. By carrying out “Attack on Kaptai Dam,” the guerrillas damaged this critical infrastructure to disrupt water and power supply to Pakistani-controlled areas.
In Dhaka and Khulna and other areas, guerrillas targeted military installations, communication hubs, and government offices with bombings, keeping the Pakistani forces on high alert.
The most important strategic side effect of guerrilla warfare was on the morale of the Pakistani military. These constant attacks stoked fear, insecurity, and hopelessness among the Pakistani troops. The element of surprise made the Pakistani military conscious at all times and it tapped away at their resources and energy. The volatility hampered the Pakistani military’s capacity to defend against the effective guerrilla actions and continue the control over the enveloped areas.
Guerrilla warfare was evidently favourable to both the Mukti Bahini and the Bangladesh army. Unlike conventional operations, guerrilla operations enabled the freedom fighters to fight the superior Pakistani forces in a way they could not prevent. The insurgents employed swift attacks, surprise attacks, and acts of sabotage and kept suffering minimal losses while causing severe impacts on the Pakistani forces.
Guerrilla warfare played a significant role in the mobilization of the community for the independence struggle. The freedom fighters, most of whom were civilians, enjoyed the support of the population of the country. This support was perhaps critical to guerrilla warfare since it secured the fighters food, safe havens, and offered them information as well. The locals would also join the guerrilla movement, which gave a feeling of national unity and integrity among the Bengali people.
The Mukti Bahini was composed of civilians, students, and former military personnel; they created several different sections as well as conducting operations all over Bangladesh. The Z force, the K force, and the S force were part and parcel of the Mukti Bahini involving tactics of guerrilla warfare to weaken the Pakistani military and mobilize resistance.
The Bangladesh Army trained and enabled the guerrilla fighters. Most camps were set up in different areas, inside Bangladesh and in the neighbouring country. These camps offered rudimentary militia drills, instructions in the use of arms, how to fight a guerrilla war, and how to survive. The roles and the gains of the Bangladesh Army in the process of guerrilla war were the key factors for the final triumph in the process of Liberation war.
The existing literature on guerrilla warfare proposes that the Bangladesh army and the Mukti Bahini also effectively used strategies that exposed weaknesses of the Pakistani military, gathered information, and mobilized the people’s support for the freedom fighters.
Through constant pressure on Pakistan forces through attacks, sabotage, and intelligence build-up, physical attrition and reduction of the effectiveness of forces, the Bangladesh army and Mukti Bahini depleted the capacity of Pakistan forces. This resulted in surrender of the Pakistani forces on December 16, 1971, and thus birth of the nation known as Bangladesh.
Significance of Victory Day
The war of independence and the day of victory is a core part of any Bangladeshi’s identity as a citizen. It signifies the realization of a nation where justice, equality, and democracy exist, and they are protected and established among the people. National victory day is a celebration of the declaration of independence and the ultimate victory created a bond of nationalism and pride among the people which remains everlasting.
During the liberation war, an estimated three million people were killed, and hundreds of thousands of women were subjected to sexual violence. This high cost of victory and immense sacrifices stand testament to the will of Bangladeshi people and their struggle for freedom.
Victory Day honours these sacrifices, serving as a reminder of the resilience and bravery of the Bangladeshi people. The
National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar stands to memorialize the loss and sacrifices made
for independence.
Presently, Bangladesh has made remarkable economic growth and progress in sectors such as garment manufacturing, agriculture, and remittances. To sustain and expand this growth, the country must also continue to invest and expand human capital growth, develop regional infrastructures and embrace technological innovation.
Bangladesh needs to leverage global collaboration and trade through building stronger regional and global partnerships. Initiatives such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and agreements can help strengthen the country’s development prospects in trade, education, and technology sector.
Bangladesh is one country most vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters such as rising sea levels, cyclones, and floods. To ensure the country’s future Bangladesh must invest in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture etc. These steps can help mitigate the negative effects of climate change while promoting economic growth in the process.
To honour the legacy of the libertarian war, Bangladesh must strengthen its democratic institutions. This includes ensuring free and fair elections, promoting transparency, and addressing corruption are essential for building public trust and fostering national stability. The nation must establish institutions of trust which help enforce these practices to ensure the integrity of democracy.
Victory Day celebrations include parades, cultural programs, and exhibitions across the country. These events provide an opportunity for Bangladeshis to celebrate their history and foster a sense of patriotism.
Victory Day is not only a major historical event but also a source of inspiration for the nation’s people for building a prosperous country for future generations. The core values of unity, resilience, sacrifice, and justice that were at the heart of the Liberation war, now act as pillars on which Bangladesh’s development has been built on.
The Liberation war transcended ethnic, religious, and social boundaries through the collective efforts for freedom. By the clever use of guerrilla warfare by the Mukti Bahini and Bangladesh army, the superior military force of Pakistan was dismantled. The role of the Bangladesh army in the Liberation war is well recognized by the global community. On this day, we remember the sacrifices and the legacy of the liberation struggle, and look to turn the country into prosperous, just, and sustainable. l
Lieutenant Colonel Md Alamgir Hasan, psc.
