JAMALPUR, Dec 4, 2024 (BSS) - Kamalpur Free Day is being observed in Bakshiganj upazila here today.

Marking the day, upazila administration has taken various programs, including placing wreaths at the memorial and discussion.

Allied forces, after a long battle, liberated Kamalpur, a frontier camp of Pakistani occupation during the Liberation War, on December 4 in 1971.
Kamalpur was under a region of sector 11. Major (later Colonel) Abu Taher was the commander of the sector.

The sector was divided into eight subsectors-Mohendraganj, Mankarchar, Purakasia, Dhalu, Bagmara, Shibbari, Rangra, and Moheshkhali. Under the sector, 22,000 freedom fighters, including 3,000 regular disciplined forces, had taken part in the Liberation War.

Freedom fighters and the Pakistan Army confronted 18 bloody battles from June 12 to November 28 at Kamalpur during the war.

In the battles, 194 freedom fighters embraced martyrdom, including Captain Salah Uddin Momtaj. During the battles, 497 Pakistani troops were also killed. Besides, sector commander Major Abu Taher lost one of his legs in a battle on November 14, 1971.

Being strategically important, the Pakistani army fortified the camp with heavy weapons and troops as the camp was situated near Mohendraganj in India. Before capturing the camp, the allied force made an attack on November 23. After a 10-day war, the allied force overpowered the Pakistani army on the day in 1971 and took possession of Kamalpur, the most important camp of Pakistani occupation.

On that day, Ahasan Malik Khan, Garrison Commander, 31 Beluch Regiment, along with 162 soldiers and huge ammunition, surrendered to the Hardeb Shingh Clayer, Brigade Commander of the allied force.