LDP President Dr Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed, Bir Bikram. File Photo

By Mursalin Nomani

DHAKA, March 25, 2025 (BSS) - Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Dr Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed, Bir Bikram, said that after hearing the Pakistan Army's  crackdown in Dhaka on the night of March 25, 1971, he had revolted against Pakistan with the 8th Bengal Regiment under Major Zia’s leadership.

"On the night of March 25, as soon as I received the news that the Pakistan Army cracked down in Dhaka, I was the first to rebel against Pakistan with the 8th Bengal Regiment under the leadership of Major Zia," said the army officer turned politician in an interview with the state-owned news agency BSS at his residence in Mohakhali DOHS, reminiscing the great Independence Day.

He said, "In 1971, I was a young officer serving in the 8th East Bengal Regiment in Chattogram. Despite being a member of the army, I had the experience of performing historic duties for the people."

Oli Ahmed recalled about the experience of bringing together the 8th East Bengal Regiment for the War of Independence, describing the moment of revolting at the right time and jumping into the Liberation War with full force and weapons as an incredibly thrilling event.

He said at that time West Pakistani Colonel Abdur Rashid Janjua was the commanding officer of the 8th Bengal while Major Ziaur Rahman was the second in command.

He also proudly mentioned that Ziaur Rahman in 1973 gave him a hand written note saying "Captain Oli Ahmed played a key role in the rebellion".

The LDP President said, “On March 27, Major Ziaur Rahman proclaimed independence from the Kalurghat Radio Station. I was sitting next to him when he declared independence."

"We took the decision for proclamation of independence sitting at Patia Police Station (Chattogram),” he mentioned, saying, “I told Ziaur Rahman, you go to the radio station (Kalurghat Radio Station), and I sent him to the radio station with guard."

The 1971 veteran said Kalurghat radio station at that time was actually a transmitting station but after slight modification it became a broadcasting station.

Describing the proclamation of independence of Bangladesh in detail, Oli said on the morning of March 27, Ziaur Rahman and he arrived at Patiya Police Station. 

 "A man named Mr. Mahmud came there. He was about 6 feet 2 inches tall. He entered the police station and said who is Captain Oli Ahmed here? We did not have any badges on our shoulders. We were only wearing khaki uniforms," he recalled.

Oli said as the stranger looked for him by name he escorted him to the police station balcony and asked why he was searching for Captain Oli.

 "He (Mahmud) replied, Captain Oli has to declare independence. When I asked him why, he said, Oli Ahmed is a son of Chattogram. If he proclaims independence, everyone will come forward unitedly," he said.

 Oli said he then informed Mahmud that the man sitting inside the room was Major Ziaur Rahman and he should proclaim independence.

"Then I discussed this matter with Major Zia. Within a short while, Major Ziaur Rahman set off for Kalurghat Radio Station along with Mr Mahmud. I told Major Zia that I would set up the Army Headquarters at Fultala Primary School of Boalkhali Police Station and reach Kalurghat Radio Station within a short time," he said.

 Major Zia then wrote down the content for the radio speech, Oli said, adding, he made two amendments and Ziaur Rahman accepted them.

Oli Ahmed, also a former member of the BNP Standing Committee, said, basically the Kalurghat radio station was initially a transmission station. A team of technicians transformed it for broadcasting purposes. By evening, Major Ziaur Rahman proclaimed the independence of Bangladesh.

In his declaration, Zia requested other countries of the world to recognize Bangladesh. He also called for extending arms, ammunition and economic cooperation. He called on the Bengal Regiment, EPR, police, students, workers and the general public stationed in different places to participate in the liberation war against Pakistan.

Oli said, "Basically, this speech of Ziaur Rahman was a guideline for the entire nation and the world.”

“The nation will never forget his courageous role,” he added.

After that, armed war began against the Pakistanis in various places throughout Chattogram and Bangladesh.
 
However, no middle or high-ranking leader of the Awami League was involved in this war, he added. 

“Later, we learned that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman surrendered to the Pakistanis on the night of March 25 on his own initiative. We fought against the Pakistanis for nine long months,” he concluded.