Historic Battle of Shiromoni; 17 December marks liberation of Khulna

17 December is a historic day for the people of Khulna as the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered to the joint forces of freedom fighters and the Indian army in 1971, a day after the liberation of the rest of the country.

"News over Bangladesh Betar on 16 December that the Pakistani army had surrendered across the country except Khulna made our blood boil. We were determined to free Khulna as soon as possible," said S M Rezwan, a Liberation War hero who participated in the battle at Shiromoni, where a fierce confrontation took place between the Pakistani troops and the allied forces.

Between 11 and 16 December, freedom fighters captured most camps of the Pakistani army and their local collaborators, including Razakars, Al-Badars, and Al-Shams, in the areas surrounding Khulna city.

A memorial at the Jahanabad Cantonment in Khulna notes that the Pakistani army had taken a strong position in Shiromoni to prevent the joint forces from advancing toward the city. After 15 December, the joint forces launched three prolonged attacks, breaking the morale of the Pakistani troops.

On 17 December, the Pakistani army faced a four-pronged assault at Shiromoni. Between 10am and 11am, Brigadier Hayat and 3,700 soldiers surrendered to the joint forces, marking the historic Shiromoni War.

According to the Bangladesh Army publication Military Operations in Liberation War, about 200 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 200 wounded, while the allied forces lost 250-300 fighters and had 300 wounded.

Prior to 17 December, the allied forces had liberated key locations, including Gallamary Radio Station, Khulna Lions School, PMG Colony, Khulna Shipyard, Number 7 Jetty, Tootpara and Boyra Fire Station, WAPDA Building, Goalpara Power Plant at Khalishpur, Bhasany Biddyapith, Hotel Asaiana, Hotel Shaheen, Khulna Circuit House, and areas of Goalkhali, Daulatpur, Khalishpur, and Shiromoni.

On the day of liberation, freedom fighters advanced toward Khulna city from multiple directions, including Rupsha Ghat via Senerhat-Rajapur, Crescent Jute Mill, Khulna Lions School, Mongla, and Batiaghata. Two major battles were fought in Shiromoni and the Khulna Shipyard.

"The Pakistani forces fought fiercely, using artillery, infantry, and armoured divisions, including six trucks. They had modern weapons like anti-aircraft machine guns, mortars, and rocket launchers," Rezwan said.

He added that freedom fighters also carried out regular guerrilla attacks on Pakistani troops in Kolaroa, Satkhira.

The allied forces entered Bangladesh through Benapole in early December. A team led by Major Mahendra Singh guided the freedom fighters from Kalaroa toward Khulna. Soon, 200 Pakistani soldiers surrendered along with their weapons, while local collaborators fled.

Manik Saha, a slain journalist, wrote in The Story of Victory in the 1971s that the Pakistani army had moved from Jashore Cantonment to Shiromoni, establishing a strong base near the Jashore-Khulna highway.

The Mukti Bahini and allied forces then advanced toward Khulna, setting up a camp at Phultala on 10 December. Fighting began in earnest on December 11 and continued until the afternoon of 13 December.

On 14 December, as the allied convoy moved toward Khulna, it came under a tank attack by Pakistani forces. On 15 December, under the leadership of Major M A Manjur, Sector No 8 commander, and Major Dalbir Singh, the Rajput Battalion chief, Pakistani troops were surrounded from multiple sides, including Afil Gate, Fulbari Gate, Shalua, Rangpur, Arongghata, and across the Bhairab River. The attack included coordinated air strikes.

Prof Anwarul Kadir, an educationist and executive director of Sundarban Academy, recalled visiting the war zone on 17 December 1971.

"The area was filled with dead bodies, and the destruction was unimaginable. Tanks of the allied forces advanced through low, canal-like areas due to anti-tank mines, and the marks are still visible today. At the time of surrender, the allied forces were advancing from Shiromoni toward Khulna, while the Pakistani soldiers retreated toward Shiromoni," he said.