List of Sectors in Bangladesh Liberation War
Encyclopedia
Bangladesh Liberation War
The Bangladesh Liberation War was an armed conflict pitting East Pakistan and India against West Pakistan. The war resulted in the secession of East Pakistan, which became the independent nation of Bangladesh....
the Bangladesh Forces (not to be confused with Mukti Bahini
Mukti Bahini
Mukti Bahini , also termed as the "Freedom Fighters" or FFs, collectively refers to the armed organizations who fought against the Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War. It was dynamically formed by Bengali regulars and civilians after the proclamation of Bangladesh's independence on...
) was divided in the geographical area of Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
into eleven sectors. Each sector with a sector commander who directed the military operation further coordinated through several sub sectors under sub sector commanders.
Background
Sector Commanders Conference 1971 of Bangladesh interim government of July 11, 1971 appointed Col. M A G Osmani as Commander in Chief, Lt. Col. Abdur Rab as chief of Army Staff. In this meeting, Bangladesh was divided into Eleven Sectors under Sector Commanders. The 10th Sector was directly placed under Commander in Chief and included the Naval Commandos and C-in-C’s special force.Sector Commanders directed the guerrilla warfare. For better efficiency in military operations each of the sectors were divided into a number of sub-sectors. On November 21, 1971 Bangladesh Forces under Indian Army formed an allied command in which India took surrender of Pakistani forces on December 16, 1971. The table below provides a list of the sectors along with the area under each of them, the names of the sector commanders and the names of sub-sectors.
List of Sectors and Subsectors
| Sectors of Bangladesh Liberation War Bangladesh Liberation War The Bangladesh Liberation War was an armed conflict pitting East Pakistan and India against West Pakistan. The war resulted in the secession of East Pakistan, which became the independent nation of Bangladesh.... |
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| Sector | Area | Sector Commander | Sub Sectors (Commanders) |
| 1 | Chittagang District, Chittagong Hill Tracts Chittagong Hill Tracts The Chittagong Hill Tracts comprise an area of 13,295 km2 in south-eastern Bangladesh, and borders India and Myanmar . It was a single district of Bangladesh until 1984. In that year it was divided into three separate districts: Khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban. Topographically, this is the... , and the entire eastern area of the Noakhali District Noakhali District Noakhali is a district in South-eastern Bangladesh. It is located in the Chittagong Division.-Geography:Noakhali District located in Chittagong Division, Bangladesh... on the banks of the river Muhuri Muhuri River Muhuri River one of the trans-boundary rivers of Bangladesh. The river takes its rise on the Lushai hills of Tripura in India and enters Bangladesh through Parshuram upazila of Feni district after flowing over the hilly regions of India. As such the river is wild in nature and often causes flash... . The headquarters of the sector was at Harina. |
• Major Ziaur Rahman Ziaur Rahman President Ziaur Rahman, Bir Uttam, was a Bangladeshi politician and general, who read the declaration of Independence of Bangladesh on March 26, 1971 on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He later became the seventh President of Bangladesh from 1977 until 1981... (April 10, 1971 – June 25, 1971) • Major Rafiqul Islam (June 28, 1971 – February 14, 1972) |
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| 2 | Districts of Dhaka Dhaka District Dhaka District is a district located in central Bangladesh, and is the densest district in the nation. It is a part of the Dhaka Division. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, rests on the eastern banks of the Buriganga River which flows from the Turag to the south of the district... , Comilla Comilla District The district of Comilla consists 4543 mosques, 379 temples, 98 churches, 34 Buddhist temples and six tombs.-Places of interest:Important landmarks include Kotbari, a cantonment, or military installation and Kandirpar, considered the heart of the Comilla district... , and Faridpur Faridpur District Faridpur is a district in central Bangladesh. It is a part of the Dhaka Division. Faridpur District has a population of over 1.7 million people and is situated on the banks of the Padma river . It is bordered by Madaripur, Narail, Rajbari, Magura, Shariatpur, Gopalgonj, Dhaka and Manikganj... , and part of Noakhali District Noakhali District Noakhali is a district in South-eastern Bangladesh. It is located in the Chittagong Division.-Geography:Noakhali District located in Chittagong Division, Bangladesh... . |
• Major Khaled Mosharraf Khaled Mosharraf Khaled Mosharraf was a Bangladeshi military officer who was a the Sector Commander of BDF Sector 2 and K-Force Brigade Commander during the Bangladesh War of Liberation. He was awarded Bir Uttam for his gallantry actions during the war... (April 10, 1971 – September 22, 1971) • Major ATM Haider (Sector Commander September 22, 1971 – December 18, 1972) |
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| 3 | Area between Churaman Kathi (near Sreemangal) and Sylhet Sylhet District The district of Sylhet consists 6754 mosques, 453 temples, 96 churches and four Buddhist temples.-Places of Interests:-Historical:#The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal#The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Paran#Shahi Eidgah#Gour Govinda Fort#Kean Bridge... in the north and Singerbil of Brahmanbaria Brahmanbaria District Brahmanbaria is a district in east-central Bangladesh. It is a part of the Chittagong Division. It was part of greater Comilla District until 1984. Before 1830 the Sarail Pargana was a part of Mymensingh district... in the south. |
• Major K M Shafiullah K M Shafiullah K M Shafiullah was a Major General and 2nd Chief of Staff of Bangladesh Army. During the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, he was the Second in Command of Second East Bengal Regiment that revolted with six officers on the night of March 25, 1971. He was also the Brigade commander of S-force of... (April 10, 1971 – July 21, 1971) • Captain ANM Nuruzzaman (July 23, 1971 – February 14, 1972) |
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| 4 | Area from Habiganj District Habiganj District Habiganj is a district in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh. It is under Sylhet Division.Habiganj is the historical place where the Mukti Bahini started their first guerrilla movement against aggressor Pakistani Army. It is also the place full of memory of Syed Nasir Uddin, an associate of... on the north to Kanaighat Police Station on the south along the 100 mile long border with India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... . The headquarters of the sector was initially at Karimganj and later at Masimpur. |
• Major Chittarajan Datta (April 10, 1971 – February 14, 1972) • Captain A Rab |
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| 5 | Area from Durgapur to Danki (Tamabil) of Sylhet District Sylhet District The district of Sylhet consists 6754 mosques, 453 temples, 96 churches and four Buddhist temples.-Places of Interests:-Historical:#The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal#The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Paran#Shahi Eidgah#Gour Govinda Fort#Kean Bridge... and the entire area up to the eastern borders of the district Sylhet District The district of Sylhet consists 6754 mosques, 453 temples, 96 churches and four Buddhist temples.-Places of Interests:-Historical:#The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal#The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Paran#Shahi Eidgah#Gour Govinda Fort#Kean Bridge... . The headquarters of the sector was at Banshtala. |
• Major Mir Shawkat Ali (April 10, 1971 – February 14, 1972) |
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| 6 | Rangpur District Rangpur District The district of Rangpur have 4924 mosques, 480 temples, 43 churches and six tombs.In an anthropologic view most people of Rangpur are having Rajbagshi blood in their veins... and part of Dinajpur District. The headquarters of the sector was at Burimari near Patgram. |
• Wing Commander M Khademul Bashar (April 1971 – February 14, 1972) |
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| 7 | Rajshahi Rajshahi District Rajshahi District is a district in north-western Bangladesh. It is a part of the Rajshahi Division. The metropolitan city of Rajshahi is in Rajshahi District.-Geography:... , Pabna Pabna District Pabna District is a district in north-western Bangladesh. It is the southern most district of Rajshahi Division. Its administrative capital is eponymous Pabna town.-Geography:Pabna forms the south-east boundary of Rajshahi Division... , Bogra Bogra District Bogra is a northern district of Bangladesh, in the Rajshahi Division. It is called the gateway to the north Bengal. It is an industrial city where many small and mid sized industries are housed. Bogra district was a part of the ancient Pundravardhana territory and Bogra was the capital of... and part of Dinajpur District. The headquarters of the sector was at Taranngapur. |
• Major Nazmul Huq Nazmul Huq Major Nazmul Huq was the first sector commnader of 7th sector in the Bangladesh Liberation War. He is also called 'The Lost Sector Commander' of Bangladesh Liberation War.- Life :... (April 10 – September 27, 1971) • Major Quazi nooruzzaman (September 28 – February 14, 1972) • Subedar Major A Rab |
Nazmul Huq Major Nazmul Huq was the first sector commnader of 7th sector in the Bangladesh Liberation War. He is also called 'The Lost Sector Commander' of Bangladesh Liberation War.- Life :... , also commanded by commanding officers of the EPR Bangladesh Rifles Border Guard Bangladesh is the oldest uniformed force in Bangladesh. It is a paramilitary force under the Ministry of Home Affairs of Bangladesh... ); |
| 8 | In April 1971, the operational area of the sector comprised the districts of Kushtia Kushtia District Kushtia, Kushtia district or Kushtia Zila is a district in the Khulna administrative division of western Bangladesh. Kushtia has existed as a separate district since the partition of India. Prior to that, Kushtia was a part of Nadia District under Bengal Province of British India. Kushtia was home... , Jessore Jessore District Jessore is a district located in the Khulna Division of southwestern Bangladesh. It is bordered by India to the west.The district produces a variety of crops year-round. Date-sugar called patali is made from the sap of locally grown date trees that is cooked, thickened and crystallised using a... , Khulna Khulna District The district of Khulna consists 10859 mosques, 680 temples, 81 churches, 15 Buddhist temples and 9 tombs.-Places of interest:*The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world. The royal Bengal tiger inhabits the area; it is said that seeing the tiger enables a person to understand what a... , Barisal Barisal District Barisal is a district in southern Bangladesh. It is also the headquarters of Barisal Division.-Geography and climate:Latitude: 22.75, Longitude: 90.36, Altitude: 4.... , Faridpur Faridpur District Faridpur is a district in central Bangladesh. It is a part of the Dhaka Division. Faridpur District has a population of over 1.7 million people and is situated on the banks of the Padma river . It is bordered by Madaripur, Narail, Rajbari, Magura, Shariatpur, Gopalgonj, Dhaka and Manikganj... and Patuakhali Patuakhali District Patuakhali is a district in South-western Bangladesh. It is a part of the Barisal Division.This is the main entrance for the beach of Kuakata. Famous for watching both the sun rise and sun set. It is called "The Daughter of Sea".-Geography:... . At the end of May the sector was reconstituted and comprised the districts of Kuhstia, Jessore, Khulna, Satkhira Satkhira District The district of Satkhira consists 3296 mosques, 1305 temples, 59 churches, 35 Buddhist temples, 8 tombs and 45 shrines.-Subdivisions:Satkhira subdivision was established in 1861 under Jessore district. It was included into Khulna district in 1882. The subdivision was upgraded into a district in... and the northern part of Faridpur district. The headquarters of the sector was at Benapole Benapole Benapole is a township in Sharsha Upazila in the Jessore District of Bangladesh. The Petrapole Customs station of India is situated across the border and since 1971 , a large number of people have travelled between Bangladesh and India through Benapole Customs station... . |
• Major Abu Osman Chowdhury Abu Osman Chowdhury Abu Osman Chowdhury was a hero of Bangladesh Forces in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, known for his unfortunate and very unjust dismissal by M.A.G Osmani... (April 10 – July 17, 1971) • Major MA Manzur (August 14, 1971 – February 14, 1972) |
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| 9 | Barisal Barisal District Barisal is a district in southern Bangladesh. It is also the headquarters of Barisal Division.-Geography and climate:Latitude: 22.75, Longitude: 90.36, Altitude: 4.... , Patuakhali Patuakhali District Patuakhali is a district in South-western Bangladesh. It is a part of the Barisal Division.This is the main entrance for the beach of Kuakata. Famous for watching both the sun rise and sun set. It is called "The Daughter of Sea".-Geography:... , and parts of the district of Khulna Khulna District The district of Khulna consists 10859 mosques, 680 temples, 81 churches, 15 Buddhist temples and 9 tombs.-Places of interest:*The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world. The royal Bengal tiger inhabits the area; it is said that seeing the tiger enables a person to understand what a... and Faridpur Faridpur District Faridpur is a district in central Bangladesh. It is a part of the Dhaka Division. Faridpur District has a population of over 1.7 million people and is situated on the banks of the Padma river . It is bordered by Madaripur, Narail, Rajbari, Magura, Shariatpur, Gopalgonj, Dhaka and Manikganj... . |
• Major M A Jalil (July 17 – December 24, 1971) • Major MA Manzur • Major Joynal Abedin |
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| 10 | This sector was constituted with the naval commandos. | • Commander HQ BD Forces (December 3–16, 1971) | None. |
| 11 | Mymensingh Mymensingh District Mymensingh is one of the districts of Dhaka division, Bangladesh, and is bordered on the north by Meghalaya state of India and Garo Hills, on the south by Gazipur district, on the east by districts of Netrokona and Kishoreganj, and on the west by districts of Sherpur, Jamalpur and Tangail... and Tangail Tangail District Tangail is a district in central region of Bangladesh. It is a part of the Dhaka division. The population of Tangail zilla is about 3.2 million and its surface area is 3,414.39 km². The main town of Tangail District is the district town Tangail... along with parts of Rangpur Rangpur District The district of Rangpur have 4924 mosques, 480 temples, 43 churches and six tombs.In an anthropologic view most people of Rangpur are having Rajbagshi blood in their veins... - Gaibandha Gaibandha District Gaibandha is a district in Northern Bangladesh. It is a part of the Rangpur Division.Gaibandha was established in 1875 when the subdivision was transferred from Bhabaniganj to Gaibandha. Gaibandha municipality was established in 1923. The literacy rate among the town people is... , Ulipur Ulipur Upazila Ulipur is an Upazila of Kurigram District in the Division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.-Geography:Ulipur is located at . It has 63216 units of house hold and total area 504.19 km².-Demographics:... , Kamalpur and Chilmari Chilmari Upazila Chilmari is an Upazila of Kurigram District in the Division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.-Geography:Chilmari is located at . It has 20129 units of house hold and total area 224.97 km². Situated in the northern part of Bangladesh, it is located by the Indo-Bangladesh frontier... . The headquarters of the sector was at Teldhala until October 10, then transferred to Mahendraganj. |
• Major Ziaur Rahman Ziaur Rahman President Ziaur Rahman, Bir Uttam, was a Bangladeshi politician and general, who read the declaration of Independence of Bangladesh on March 26, 1971 on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He later became the seventh President of Bangladesh from 1977 until 1981... (June 27, 1971 – October 10, 1971) • Squadron Leader M. Hamidullah Khan (November 2, 1971 – February 14, 1972) • Major Abu Taher Abu Taher Lieutenant Colonel Abu Taher a communist and a left-leaning radical activist of the Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal, responsible for the Soldiers Uprising and the radical breakout that occurred in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh on Nov 7th 1975... (October 10, 1971 – November 2, 1971) |
Abu Taher Lieutenant Colonel Abu Taher a communist and a left-leaning radical activist of the Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal, responsible for the Soldiers Uprising and the radical breakout that occurred in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh on Nov 7th 1975... ; Lieutenant Mannan); |
List of guerilla organizations
- Z Force, under Major Ziaur RahmanZiaur RahmanPresident Ziaur Rahman, Bir Uttam, was a Bangladeshi politician and general, who read the declaration of Independence of Bangladesh on March 26, 1971 on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He later became the seventh President of Bangladesh from 1977 until 1981...
, consisted of 1, 3 and 8 East Bengal RegimentEast Bengal Regiment-History:The East Bengal Regiment was formed in 1948 following Pakistan's creation from the Partition of British Raj in South Asia. As part of the agreement, the Muslim population of what was previously known as British Empire in South Asia were given their own state of Pakistan, made up of West...
.- 1st East Bengal Regiment - Commanding Officer - Major Ziauddin
- 3rd East Bengal Regiment - Commanding Officer - Major Shafaat JamilShafaat Jamil-Early life:He was born on March 1, 1940. His father A.H. Karimullah was an East Pakistan Civil Service Officer. Jamil was educated at Dhaka College, University of Dhaka and Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul....
- 8th East Bengal Regiment - Commanding Officer - Major Aminul Haque
- K Force, commanded by Major Khaled MosharrafKhaled MosharrafKhaled Mosharraf was a Bangladeshi military officer who was a the Sector Commander of BDF Sector 2 and K-Force Brigade Commander during the Bangladesh War of Liberation. He was awarded Bir Uttam for his gallantry actions during the war...
, was created with 4, 9 and 10 East Bengal RegimentEast Bengal Regiment-History:The East Bengal Regiment was formed in 1948 following Pakistan's creation from the Partition of British Raj in South Asia. As part of the agreement, the Muslim population of what was previously known as British Empire in South Asia were given their own state of Pakistan, made up of West...
.- 4th East Bengal Regiment - Commanding Officer -
- 9th East Bengal Regiment - Commanding Officer -
- 10th East Bengal Regiment - Commanding Officer -
- S Force, under Major K.M. Safiullah, was created in October 1971 and consisted of 2 and 11 East Bengal RegimentEast Bengal Regiment-History:The East Bengal Regiment was formed in 1948 following Pakistan's creation from the Partition of British Raj in South Asia. As part of the agreement, the Muslim population of what was previously known as British Empire in South Asia were given their own state of Pakistan, made up of West...
.- 2nd East Bengal Regiment - Commanding Officer -
- 11th East Bengal Regiment - Commanding Officer -