Khulna Correspondent :
December 17 is a red letter day for Khulna people as the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered to the allied forces comprising freedom fighters and Indian armed forces on this day in 1971, a day after liberation of the rest of the country.
“News over the radio (Bangladesh Betar) on December 16 that the Pakistani army had surrendered everywhere in the country except Khulna made our blood boil. We were determined to free Khulna as soon as possible,” said Sheikh Quamruzzaman Tuku, chief of Khulna unit Mujib Bahini, who is now the administrator of Bagerhat District Council.
Between December 11 and 16, freedom fighters had captured most of the camps of the Pakistani army and their local collaborators like the Razakars, Al-Badar and Al-Shams in the areas surrounding Khulna city.
The camps include Gallamari Radio Station, Khulna Lion’s School, PMG Colony, Khulna Shipyard, Number 7 Jetty Ghat area, Tootpara and Boyra fire brigade stations, Wapda Building, Goalpara Power Plant at Khalishpur and at some places of Goalkhali and Daulatpur.
On December 17, the freedom fighters started entering Khulna City through different points including Rupsha Ghat area via Senerbazar-Razapur, Crescent Jute Mill, Kulutia, Khulna Lion’s School, Mongla and Batiaghata.
Two major battles were won on this day-one in Shiromony area and another in Khulna Shipyard area.
The Pakistani forces were fighting for the last two days, armed with several regiments of artillery, infantry and armoured divisions, including six tanks, in Shiromony area.
In the morning, the battle grew fierce, says freedom fighter SM Rezwan.
December 17 is a red letter day for Khulna people as the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered to the allied forces comprising freedom fighters and Indian armed forces on this day in 1971, a day after liberation of the rest of the country.
“News over the radio (Bangladesh Betar) on December 16 that the Pakistani army had surrendered everywhere in the country except Khulna made our blood boil. We were determined to free Khulna as soon as possible,” said Sheikh Quamruzzaman Tuku, chief of Khulna unit Mujib Bahini, who is now the administrator of Bagerhat District Council.
Between December 11 and 16, freedom fighters had captured most of the camps of the Pakistani army and their local collaborators like the Razakars, Al-Badar and Al-Shams in the areas surrounding Khulna city.
The camps include Gallamari Radio Station, Khulna Lion’s School, PMG Colony, Khulna Shipyard, Number 7 Jetty Ghat area, Tootpara and Boyra fire brigade stations, Wapda Building, Goalpara Power Plant at Khalishpur and at some places of Goalkhali and Daulatpur.
On December 17, the freedom fighters started entering Khulna City through different points including Rupsha Ghat area via Senerbazar-Razapur, Crescent Jute Mill, Kulutia, Khulna Lion’s School, Mongla and Batiaghata.
Two major battles were won on this day-one in Shiromony area and another in Khulna Shipyard area.
The Pakistani forces were fighting for the last two days, armed with several regiments of artillery, infantry and armoured divisions, including six tanks, in Shiromony area.
In the morning, the battle grew fierce, says freedom fighter SM Rezwan.
