Melaghar Camp
Encyclopedia
Melaghar Camp was a training camp for freedom fighters during Liberation war of Bangladesh
. In a cabinet meeting of Bangladesh
government, held on July 11, 1971, Bangladesh
forces was divided into eleven sectors. Melaghar, near Agartala, India
, was the headquarter of sector two.
(late Maj Gen Khaled Mosharraf Bir Uttam) till October 21, 1971 and then Captain A T M Hyder (late Lt Col ATM Hyder Bir Uttam psc) from October 22 to December. A brigade named ‘K-force’ was formed in Melaghar camp by Major Khaled Musharraf along with A. T. M. Hyder in september, 1971 and consisted of 4, 9 and 10 East Bengal Regiments. The freedom fighters from this camp fought against the Pakistan Army
in the eastern part of Faridpur
, Noakhali
, part of Comilla
and Dhaka
city.
The first guerrilla unit under K force was developed here to attack the Pakistan army
in Dhaka city.
Freedom fighters from several districts came to Melaghar camp for training. But most of the trainees in this camp were from Dhaka. The brief training program for each group of freedom fighters lasted hardly 15 days. Each night, two or three groups of freedom fighters, guerrillas used to enter a certain region of their country with ammunition to fight against Pakistan army
.
Life was rigorous. The freedom fighters trained two times a day. There was a very limited supply of food, water and medication in the camp.
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....
. In a cabinet meeting 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...
government, held on July 11, 1971, 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...
forces was divided into eleven sectors. Melaghar, near Agartala, 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...
, was the headquarter of sector two.
Sector Information
The sector Commander of sector two in Melaghar camp was Major Khaled MusarrafKhaled 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...
(late Maj Gen Khaled Mosharraf Bir Uttam) till October 21, 1971 and then Captain A T M Hyder (late Lt Col ATM Hyder Bir Uttam psc) from October 22 to December. A brigade named ‘K-force’ was formed in Melaghar camp by Major Khaled Musharraf along with A. T. M. Hyder in september, 1971 and consisted of 4, 9 and 10 East Bengal Regiments. The freedom fighters from this camp fought against the Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
in the eastern part of 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...
, Noakhali
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...
, part of Comilla
Comilla
Comilla is a city in south-eastern Bangladesh, located along the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway. It is the administrative center of the Comilla District, part of the Chittagong Division. The Eastern Wing of Bangladesh Highway Police is located in Comilla....
and Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
city.
The first guerrilla unit under K force was developed here to attack the Pakistan army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
in Dhaka city.
Surroundings and Life in Melaghar Camp
Melaghar camp ranged a few miles. Hills, jungles surrounded the area. The earthen path to camp was uneven and a little rain could make it slippery.Freedom fighters from several districts came to Melaghar camp for training. But most of the trainees in this camp were from Dhaka. The brief training program for each group of freedom fighters lasted hardly 15 days. Each night, two or three groups of freedom fighters, guerrillas used to enter a certain region of their country with ammunition to fight against Pakistan army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
.
Life was rigorous. The freedom fighters trained two times a day. There was a very limited supply of food, water and medication in the camp.