The Unsung Heroes of 1971: Unveiling the Role of Mukti Bahini in the Bangladesh Liberation War

As Indians, we have grown up hearing about the glorious and undeniably powerful actions of the Indian Armed Forces in the 1971 war. However, we have not been widely exposed to the role of the Mukti Bahini. It was a major part of the war, but it has been overshadowed. This article aims to shed light on the Mukti Bahini and its contributions during the Bangladesh Liberation War.

A Brief Background on Mukti Bahini

There was no concept of Mukti Bahini even after the 1970 great cyclone that caused havoc in southern East Pakistan, which is now Bangladesh. The term Mukti Bahini did not exist even in March 1971 when Operation Searchlight was initiated by Tikka Khan. Bangladeshi students from the middle class took up arms only after the famous speech of Sheikh Mujib, the then leader of the movement for an independent Bangladesh. They were supported by the peasants of the country. However, the Mukti Bahini was only formed after the soldiers of the East Pakistan(Bangladesh) Bangladesh Rifles (EBR) and police personnel started deserting their posts. They came to India, where they received logistical support and training from the Indian Army to develop the basic structure of Mukti Bahini.

The Patriotism and Dedication of the Mukti Bahini

The freedom-fighters of Bangladesh demonstrated unparalleled patriotism and dedication to their cause. Despite having limited resources and being equipped with light weapons and traditional sharp weapons, they put up a remarkable fight against the Pakistani Army's air force and navy. While their performance was undoubtedly impressive, it was virtually impossible for a recently-formed outfit with such limited resources to defeat a professional Pakistani armed force. Their logistical and intelligence support to the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force within Bangladesh was invaluable. The Mukti Bahini indicated the shortest route to 4 Corps and 101 Communication Zone to Dhaka, significantly aiding the Indian forces. Without their invaluable support, the war could not have concluded in just 12 days.

The Media Coverage and Recognition

During the war, Indian media focused almost entirely on the Indian military exploits. In fact, the Mukti Bahini was a covert operation of RAW, the Indian Intelligence Agency. Consequently, not much was written about it. Later, Pakistani military retired officers wrote vivid accounts of the Mukti Bahini in their books, although their perspectives are undoubtedly biased. It is worth noting that the Pakistani military was responsible for numerous atrocities, including rapes and killings, which led to the intervention of the UN to address the humanitarian crisis affecting millions of displaced people.

Conclusion: The Indispensable but Under-Recognized Role of Mukti Bahini

While the Indian Armed Forces played a crucial role in the 1971 war, the contributions of the Mukti Bahini are equally important and under-recognized. It is time we acknowledged and appreciated the immense logistical and intelligence support they provided to ensure the swift end of the war. The Mukti Bahini's legacy should be celebrated, and their role in the Bangladesh Liberation War should not be overlooked or forgotten.