Defence of Kamalpur

Defence of Kamalpur
Part of the Bangladesh Liberation War
Date14 November – 4 December 1971[1]
Location
Kamalpur-border area in Northern Bangladesh
Result First Attack: Pakistani victory
Second Attack: Bangladeshi-Indian victory
Belligerents
Bangladesh Bangladesh
India India		 Pakistan Pakistan
Commanders and leaders
Bangladesh Major Abu Taher
India Brigadier Hardev Singh Kler
India Maj Gen Gurbax Singh  (WIA)		 Pakistan Captain Ahsan Malik
Units involved
  • 31 Baloch Company
    • Strength
  • 4,000 soldiers
  • Unknown number of MiG-21 aircraft
    		•

    30 Pakistan Army soldiers
    30-40 Paramilitary

    Total: 60-70 men
    Casualties and losses
    46 killed
    113 wounded    		 2 killed[2]
    3 wounded

    The Defence of Kamalpur was a second battle fought over Kamalpur near the border between India and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) during the Bangladesh Liberation War. Kamalpur, a hamlet on the border, was defended by 60-70 regular and paramilitary Pakistani soldiers under the command of Captain Ahsan Malik. [3][4][5]

    The company-sized Pakistani unit fought against a brigade of Indian soldiers and Mukti Bahini as the Indian military made several unsuccessful attempts to overrun the Pakistani positions.[6]

    After defending the area for 21 days, the besieged Pakistani troops were ordered by their superiors to surrender.[7] The defending Pakistani troops suffered hardly any casualties, despite being subjected to repeated Indian artillery bombardment and air strikes.[2]

    Then Indian Chief of Army Staff, General Sam Manekshaw sent a personal congratulatory message to Captain Malik, commending him for his successful defense against the odds.[8] Maj. Gen. Gurbux Singh also wanted to meet Malik personally, but was wounded by a mine on his way to Kamalpur.[7]

    1. ^ A. S. M. Nasim 2002, p. 255
    2. ^ a b Sukhwant Singh 1980, p. 190: "He had put up a courageous stand throughout the siege and had surrendered after holding a brigade of besiegers for 21 days with a company strength of a mixture of Regulars, Rangers and Razakars totalling about 140 men. Hardly any casualties had been suffered as a result of the Indian artillery bombardment and air strikes."
    3. ^ Ahmed, Riffat (10 October 2021). "On The Art Of War And Writing Letters To The Enemy: Gallantry At The Battle Of Jamalpur". The Friday Times. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
    4. ^ Yamin, Tughral (1 September 2020). "Jamalpur Fortress: A Tale of Courage and Defiance". Hilal.
    5. ^ "Battle of Jamalpur: Historical account of 1971 war reveals Pakistani Army's resilience". Samaa. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
    6. ^ Sukhwant Singh 1980, p. 188: "The third attack met the same fate. The failure of two successive attacks and the resultant casualties dispirited the attacking troops, and the higher command developed second thoughts about Kler's ability to handle live operations."
    7. ^ a b Brian Cloughley 2006, p. 179
    8. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).