Battle of Kamalpur

The Battle of Kamalpur (কামালপুরের যুদ্ধ), launched against the Pakistan Army, is one of the most significant military engagements fought by the guerrilla armed resistance group, the Mukti Bahini, in 1971 during its war of independence from Pakistan. The Pakistani Army set up a military camp at Kamalpur (now in Baksiganj Upazila of Jamalpur District) which was attacked by 1st East Bengal Regiment of Z Force several times. The first attack was made on June 12, and a second attack was made on July 31, 1971, also another attack at 22 October 1971, in total there were 18 battles in Kamalpur.

Camp at Kamalpur
Kamalpur, a border area, was known as the gateway to Dhaka from the northern sector under Sector 11, the central sector and the largest one of the Bangladeshi Forces. It was situated on the mouth of the old Brahmaputra and on the road link with Mymensingh via Jamalpur. Pakistan Army set up a military camp at Kamalpur. This camp was tactically crucial for the Pakistani Army because its fall would cause the Pakistani Army to lose control over the whole Jamalpur-Dhaka region.

The Pakistani troops made concrete bunkers which contained shell proof roofs. To provide communication between bunkers, they dug communication trenches. The camp perimeter included Booby traps and mine fields as defence.

About two companies of 31 regiment excluding Razakar paramillitaries constituted the enemy force.

Attacks on Kamalpur Camp
On June 12, 1971, the first attack was launched by Z-forces at Kamalpur Camp. Pakistani troops tried to enter the villages of Sarishabari Upazila of Jamalpur district but failed, as the villagers confronted them. Many people in the villages were killed. While retreating, the Pakistani Army set fire in the villages.

The second attack was led by Colonel (later Major General and President of Bangladesh) Ziaur Rahman on July 31, 1971. Zia was supported by Major Moinul Hossain, Captain Hafiz and Captain Salauddin Mumtaz. The attack was made with two companies Delta and Bravo from the North – East of the enemy camp. Captain Salauddin Mumtaz commanded Delta on the left and Captain Hafiz commanded Bravo on the right. As the troops were moving towards the enemy post, the enemy artillery started firing heavily. As a result, the progress of the two companies became slow. The communication system collapsed because of heavy rain. However, the troops continued moving forward and entered the outer perimeter of the enemy camp. Though casualties were increasing, the freedom fighters made progress through the minefield. At one stage of the fight, two artillery shells dropped in front of Captain Salauddin Mumtaz and killed him. And three Mukti Bahini fighters were killed trying to save him, and Captain Hafiz was injured. In the morning at 7:30, Major Moinul Hossain, the battalion commander of 1st East Bengal Regiment ordered the battalion to retreat.

India joined the war at late November, they sent their military formations to take Kamalpur, but it was harder for the Indian Army than expected, they made more than 3 unsuccessful attempts to take Kamalpur, the Indian Army's moral was deteriorating, and casualties were heavily increasing but they knew the Pakistani forces had no artillery, only 2 mortars left, finally, on December 4, the Pakistani Army was overrun and withdrawn and fell back to their headquarters at Jamalpur after an attack by the Bangladeshi Forces and the Indian Army. The Battle of Kamalpur was the deadliest major military engagement in the Bangladeshi War of Liberation, The Mukti Bahini lost 194 soldiers in the battle. The Indian Army lost more than 46 soldiers in the battle and a 113 wounded. Meanwhile, the Pakistani Army had the most casualties, the Pakistani Army lost 497 soldiers in the battle and around 162 and 220 soldiers captured. In the aftermath of the battle, Pakistani forces were defeated and Jamalpur became liberated from Pakistani occupation.