Crack Platoon

Last updated

The Crack Platoon was a special commando team of the Mukti Bahini. which was formed in 1971, during the Bangladesh Liberation War. It was formed by young members of the Mukti Bahini, which carried out commando operations in Dhaka and its surroundings and led by Major Khaled Mosharraf. [1] The commandos were mostly students and civilians, who received guerrilla training later in the training camps for Mukti Bahini and then engaged in battle against the Pakistani Army. [2]

Contents

Formation

Formation and deployment of Crack Platoon

In June 1971, during the Bangladesh Liberation War, the World Bank sent a mission to observe the situation in East Pakistan. The media cell of the Pakistani Government was circulating a news that situation in East Pakistan was stable and normal. Khaled Mosharraf, a sector commander of Mukti Bahini, planned to deploy a special commando team. The task assigned to the team was to carry out commando operations and activities in Dhaka. The major objective of this team was to prove that the situation was not normal actually. Moreover, Pakistan at that time, was expecting economic aid from World Bank, which was assumed to be spent to buy arms. The plan was to make World Bank Mission understand the true situation of East Pakistan and stop sanctioning the aid. [3] Khaled along with Abu Taher Mohammad Haider, another sector commander formed the Crack Platoon. Initially, number of commandos in the platoon was 17. Those commandos were receiving training in Melaghar Camp at that time. [4] From Melaghar, commandos of Crack Platoon headed for Dhaka on 4 June 1971 and launched guerrilla operation on 5 June. [3] Later, number of commandos was increased, the platoon was split and deployed in different areas surrounding Dhaka. [5]

Major objectives and success

The basic objectives of Crack Platoon were to demonstrate the strength of the Mukti Bahini, by fighting the Pakistani Army and their collaborators. [6] Another major objective was proving to the international community that the situation in East Pakistan was not normal. That commando team also aimed at inspiring the people of Dhaka who were frequently being victims of killing and torture. These objectives were successfully fulfilled by Crack Platoon. The World Bank mission, in its report, clearly described the hazardous situation that was prevailing in East Pakistan. In the report, the World Bank mission prescribed to end the military regime in East Pakistan. [7] Between July and September 1971, operations by the Crack Platoon resulted in the death of 8 Pakistan Army commissioned officers from the rank of Second Lieutenant to Colonel and 31 soldiers and NCOs [8] Crack Platoon carried out several successful and important operations. The power supply in Dhaka was devastated [9] [10] which caused severe problem for Pakistan Army and the military administration in Dhaka. The Chinese restaurants in Dhaka had become almost prohibited for Pakistani army officers. [11]

Recognition and awards

The role of Crack Platoon in the Bangladesh Liberation War was highly appreciated by the post war government of Bangladesh and the people. Six commandos including Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury, the leader of Crack Platoon and a former minister were awarded Bir Bikrom, third highest gallantry award in Bangladesh and two commandos were awarded Bir Protik, fourth highest gallantry award in Bangladesh.

Notable members of Crack Platoon

[12]

Related Research Articles

Mohammad Ataul Gani Osmani was a Bangladeshi military officer and revolutionary. His military career spanned three decades, beginning with his service in the British Indian Army in 1939. He fought in the Burma Campaign during World War II, and after the partition of India in 1947, he joined the Pakistan Army and served in the East Bengal Regiment, retiring as a colonel in 1967. Osmani joined the Provisional Government of Bangladesh in 1971 as the commander-in-chief of the nascent Bangladesh Forces. Regarded as the founder of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, Osmani retired as the first full general from the Bangladesh Army in 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khaled Mosharraf</span> Bangladeshi army officer (1937–1975)

Khaled Mosharraf BU was a Major General in Bangladeshi army who is known for his role in the Bangladesh Liberation War and the subsequent coups in post-independence Bangladesh. After deposing Khondakar Mustaq Ahmad in the 3 November 1975 coup, Mosharraf was assassinated on 7 November 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armed Forces Day (Bangladesh)</span> National day on 21 November

Armed Forces Day is annually observed in Bangladesh on 21 November, signifying formation of Bangladesh Armed Forces on the day in 1971, when the members of the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force were officially unified under and launched joint operations against the Pakistan Armed Forces in the Bangladesh Liberation War. On 16 December 1971, the Pakistani Army of 93,000 surrendered to the joint forces of Bangladesh and India, ending the 9-month long Liberation War of Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman</span> 1975 murder in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first president of Bangladesh, was assassinated along with most of his family members during the early hours of 15 August 1975 by a group of Bangladesh Army personnel who invaded his residence as part of a coup d'état. The Minister of Commerce, Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad, immediately took control and proclaimed himself head of an interim government from 15 August to 6 November 1975; he was in turn succeeded by Chief Justice Abu Sayem. The assassination marked the first direct military intervention in Bangladesh's civilian administration. Lawrence Lifschultz characterized this incident as an outcome of the Cold War between the United States-influenced Pakistan and the Soviet Union-influenced India. 15 August is annually observed as National Mourning Day, a commemorative day in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh War of Independence started on 26 March 1971 and ended on 16 December 1971. Some of the major events of the war are listed in the timeline below.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Jackpot</span> Battle of the Bangladesh Liberation War

Operation Jackpot was a codename for three operations undertaken by the Bengali Mukti Bahini in former East Pakistan against the Federation of Pakistan at the climax of the Bangladesh Liberation War.

The Al-Shams was a collaborationist paramilitary wing allied with several Islamist parties in East Pakistan, comprising both local Bengalis and Muhajirs. Alongside the Pakistan Army and Al-Badr, Al-Shams has been accused of participating in widespread atrocities against Bengali nationalists, civilians, and religious and ethnic minorities during the 1971 war. Following the war, the government of Bangladesh officially banned the group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special forces</span> Military units trained to conduct special operations

Special forces or special operations forces (SOF) are military units trained to conduct special operations. NATO has defined special operations as "military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, selected, trained and equipped forces using unconventional techniques and modes of employment".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul</span> Bangladeshi lyricist, composer and music director(1956-2019)

Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul was a Bangladeshi lyricist, composer and music director, active since the late 1970s. He was a freedom fighter who joined the Bangladesh Liberation War at the age of 15. He won Ekushey Padak and Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Music Director twice for the films Premer Taj Mahal (2001) and Hajar Bachhor Dhore (2005).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mukti Bahini</span> Bengali guerrilla movement in East Pakistan

The Mukti Bahini, also known as the Bangladesh Forces, was the guerrilla resistance movement consisting of the Bangladeshi military, paramilitary and civilians during the Bangladesh Liberation War that transformed East Pakistan into Bangladesh in 1971. They were initially called the Mukti Fauj.

Z Force, also known as the Tura Brigade, was the first military brigade of Bangladesh Forces, formed during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971 under Major Ziaur Rahman along with the consent of the revolutionary government of Bangladesh in exile. The brigade was formed with the 1st, 3rd and 8th Battalion of East Bengal Regiment on 7 July 1971. It is the first ever complete brigade formed during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.

The Bangladesh Collaborators Order, 1972 is a law enacted in 1972 by the Government of Bangladesh to establish a tribunal to prosecute local collaborators who helped or supported the Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh War of Independence and the 1971 Bangladesh genocide. An estimated 11,000 collaborators were arrested. An estimated 2,884 cases were filed at the tribunal until October 1973. Of those accused, 752 received sentencing. Many detainees were released after the 15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état.

Shariful Alam Imam Ahmed was a participator in Bangladesh Liberation War. He is most widely remembered as the husband of "Shaheed Janani" Jahanara Imam and as the father of Guerrilla fighter Shafi Imam Rumi. He is a character in Jahanara Imam's famous memoir Ekattorer Dingulee.

Major General Khaled Mosharraf was assassinated on November 7, 1975. He was a Bangladeshi military officer who was the Sector Commander of Bangladesh Forces Sector 2 and K-Force Brigade Commander during the Bangladesh Liberation War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bangladesh Field Hospital</span> Hospital in Tripura, India

Bangladesh Field Hospital was a temporary medical centre under the Sector-2 during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. The hospital was an initiative of Captain Akhtar Ahmed, who was a physician of 4th East Bengal Regiment in Comilla Cantonment. It was situated in Tripura, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abu Taher Mohammad Haider</span> Bangladesh Army officer, recipient of Bir Uttom

Abu Taher Mohammad Haider, Bir Uttom was a Bangladesh Army officer and recipient of Bir Uttom, the second highest military award in Bangladesh. He fought in the Bangladesh Liberation War as the second-in-command of the K force under Khaled Mosharraf. Later he became the sector commander of sector-2 from 22 September 1971. After the assassination of the President of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujib in a military coup; he joined a counter coup led by his former commander Major General Khaled Mosharraf. He was killed in a situation marred with confusion along with Khaled Mosharraf on 7 November 1975 by proponents of a counter coup led by Colonel Abu Taher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Hotel Intercontinental</span> 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War engagement in Ramna, Dhaka

Operation Hotel Intercontinental was an attack on the InterContinental Dhaka hotel on 9 June 1971, in Dhaka, then part of East Pakistan, in the Bangladesh Liberation War. The attack was carried out by members of the commando unit of Mukti Bahini.

Khondkar Nazmul Huda was a veteran of the Bangladesh Liberation War. The Bangladesh government awarded him the title of Bir Bikrom for his bravery in the war of independence.

Abdus Salek Choudhury was a veteran of the Bangladesh Liberation War. For his bravery in the Bangladeshi war of independence, The Government of Bangladesh awarded him the title of Bir Uttom. He held the rank of Captain during the war. He served as Commander of Sector-2.

Akram Ahmed was a veteran of the Bangladesh Liberation War as a pilot as part of Operation Kilo Flight, the beginning of Bangladesh Air Force. For his bravery in the war, the government of Bangladesh awarded him the title of Bir Uttom, one of a few civilians to have received the award.

References

  1. ↑ "Children take interview of 55 war heroes". The Daily Star. 9 August 2008.
  2. ↑ Islam, Zahirul (2013). মুক্তিযুদ্ধে মেজর হায়দার ও তার বিয়োগান্ত বিদায় (in Bengali). Prathamā prakāśana. p. 76. ISBN   978-984-90253-1-3.
  3. 1 2 Mosharraf, Khaled (2013). মুক্তিযুদ্ধে ২ নম্বর সেক্টর এবং কে ফোর্স (in Bengali). Prathamā prakāśana. pp. 55–56. ISBN   978-984-90253-2-0.
  4. ↑ Islam, Zahirul (2013). মুক্তিযুদ্ধে মেজর হায়দার ও তার বিয়োগান্ত বিদায় (in Bengali). Prathamā prakāśana. p. 77. ISBN   978-984-90253-1-3.
  5. ↑ Islam, Zahirul (2013). মুক্তিযুদ্ধে মেজর হায়দার ও তার বিয়োগান্ত বিদায় (in Bengali). Prathamā prakāśana. p. 78. ISBN   978-984-90253-1-3.
  6. ↑ "The vanguard of Dhaka's independence". The Daily Star. 23 September 2023.
  7. ↑ "OPERATION HOTEL INTERCONTINENTAL: "HIT & RUN"". The Daily Star. 6 December 2014.
  8. ↑ Gavshon, Arthur L. (14 July 1971). "Experts Cite Remedial Measures for East Pakistan". The Day. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  9. ↑ "3 Power Plants Bombed By East Pakistan Rebels". Morning Record. 22 July 1971.
  10. ↑ "Pakistan Rebels Bomb Plant". The Daily News. 22 October 1971.
  11. ↑ "Dacca Cafes Bombed". The Spokesman-Review. 25 July 1971.
  12. ↑ THE CRACK PLATOON, Of valour and love for motherland, New Age, 29 August 2021
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.