User:Shresto15/Battle of Khulna

Battle of Khulna, also known as Battle of Shiromoni was a battle fought between the Muktibahini and the Pakistan Army forces for the control of Khulna Division during the Bangladesh Liberation War. Pakistani forces prepared defences around Jessore Cantonment and established stronghold. Repeated, days of fighting resulted in the withdrawal of Pakistani forces to Khulna, where they surrendered at the end of the war. Widely regarded for being one of the heaviest tank battles of the war.

Background
In the later stage of the war, Pakistan Army had fortified key areas expecting heavy attack. Jessore Cantonment held a strategic point in the south-western region, as it covered the northern and the only viable  approach to the port of Khulna and the western approach to Dacca via Goalundo Ghat and Faridpur ferries on Padma River. Three approaches to Jessore — North-western from Chowgacha, western from Boyra and southwestern from Benapole-Jhikargacha. Suffering defeat 15 kilometers west of Jessore at Battle of Boyra and Battle of Garibpur the troops fell back to Jessore to defend. Overall, troops from Faridpur, Kushtia, Jessore, Patuakhali and Barisal had assembled.

Battle of Jessore
After formal declaration of war, Indian forces took the local road leaving the main highway and by local road headed for Jessore.