Munshi Abdur Rouf
Encyclopedia
Munshi Abdur Rouf (1 May 1943-1971) was a Lance Nayek in East Pakistan Rifles during the Bangladesh Liberation War
. He enrolled in the East Bengal Regiment on 8 May 1963, and was attached with a regular infantry unit during War of Liberation. Munshi Abdur Rouf embraced martyr
dom on 18 April 1971 at Kurighat in Chittagong Hill Tracts after causing extensive damage to Pakistan Army with his MG
and forcing them to retreat. He was buried at Naniarchor Upazilla in Rangamati District
.
He was awarded Bir Sreshtho
, which is the highest recognition of bravery in Bangladesh.
. His father Munshi Mehedi Hossain was an “Imam
” at a local mosque and his mother was a Mukidunnesa. After his father's death in 1955, Rouf had to stop his education at his eighth grade. He joined the East Pakistan Rifles on 8 May 1963. He had to increase his age three years in order to get the job. After the preliminary training at the EPR camp at Chuadanga, Rouf went to West Pakistan to receive advanced training. He was appointed to Comilla after 6 months.
In order to prevent the Pakistan Army from utilizing the Rangamati-Mahalchari waterway, 8th East Bengal Regiment constructed a camp at both sides
On 18 April 1971, Pakistan Army attacked at the defense position of Mukti Bahini
with 7 speed boats and 2 launches. Their mission was to drive the Mukti Bahini away from the waterway of Rangamati and Mohalchari. Pakistani forces managed to disorient Mukti Bahini by coming closer to them and firing heavily. In the meantime Pakistanis surrounded the freedom fighters and managed to isolate nearly 100 of them. Rouf realized the threat to the entire company. So, he crawled forward to his trench and continuously fired towards the enemies with his automatic machine gun. As a result, Pakistanis dragged their launches back to a safer place and resumed their firing from there. Suddenly a mortar
directly hit Rouf and he died immediately. Munshi Abdur Rouf's valiant effort helped his company to survive as his act saved nearly 150 soldiers of the Mukti Bahini on that day.
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....
. He enrolled in the East Bengal Regiment on 8 May 1963, and was attached with a regular infantry unit during War of Liberation. Munshi Abdur Rouf embraced martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
dom on 18 April 1971 at Kurighat in Chittagong Hill Tracts after causing extensive damage to Pakistan Army with his MG
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
and forcing them to retreat. He was buried at Naniarchor Upazilla in Rangamati District
Rangamati District
Rangamati is a district in South-eastern Bangladesh. It is a part of the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the town of Rangamati serves as the headquarters of the district. Area-wise, Rangamati is the largest district of the country....
.
He was awarded Bir Sreshtho
Bir Sreshtho
The Bir Sreshtho is the highest military award of Bangladesh. It was awarded to seven freedom fighters who showed utmost bravery and died in action for their nation. They are considered martyrs....
, which is the highest recognition of bravery in Bangladesh.
Early life
Munshi Abdur Rouf was born on 1 May 1943 at Salamatpur village under Boalmari thana (currently Madhukhali thana) in Faridpur DistrictFaridpur 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...
. His father Munshi Mehedi Hossain was an “Imam
Imam
An imam is an Islamic leadership position, often the worship leader of a mosque and the Muslim community. Similar to spiritual leaders, the imam is the one who leads Islamic worship services. More often, the community turns to the mosque imam if they have a religious question...
” at a local mosque and his mother was a Mukidunnesa. After his father's death in 1955, Rouf had to stop his education at his eighth grade. He joined the East Pakistan Rifles on 8 May 1963. He had to increase his age three years in order to get the job. After the preliminary training at the EPR camp at Chuadanga, Rouf went to West Pakistan to receive advanced training. He was appointed to Comilla after 6 months.
Death
East Bengal Regiment wanted to restrict the Pakistan Army from using the Rangamati-Mahalchari waterway. Thus, they camped at both of the Chingri Lakes at Burighat. Munshi Abdur Rouf was serving as a soldier in this company.In order to prevent the Pakistan Army from utilizing the Rangamati-Mahalchari waterway, 8th East Bengal Regiment constructed a camp at both sides
On 18 April 1971, Pakistan Army attacked at the defense position of 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...
with 7 speed boats and 2 launches. Their mission was to drive the Mukti Bahini away from the waterway of Rangamati and Mohalchari. Pakistani forces managed to disorient Mukti Bahini by coming closer to them and firing heavily. In the meantime Pakistanis surrounded the freedom fighters and managed to isolate nearly 100 of them. Rouf realized the threat to the entire company. So, he crawled forward to his trench and continuously fired towards the enemies with his automatic machine gun. As a result, Pakistanis dragged their launches back to a safer place and resumed their firing from there. Suddenly a mortar
Mortar (weapon)
A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
directly hit Rouf and he died immediately. Munshi Abdur Rouf's valiant effort helped his company to survive as his act saved nearly 150 soldiers of the Mukti Bahini on that day.