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camp was relocated to Rajibpur High School in Char Raijbpur upazila, he added.

“The ranks of Aftab Bahini swelled as local students and youths joined the war effort, exceeding 700 members. Subsequently, several additional camps were set up in Kodalkathi in Char Rajibpur, and Tapurchar and Dantbhanga in Rowmari,” Sabur Farooqi, a prominent freedom fighter of the Aftab Bahini.

“As the scale of freedom fighter training expanded, Rowmari CG High School emerged as one of the largest training camps in the country, where around 30,000 freedom fighters received training over the course of the war.”

DEFENDING MUKTANCHAL

During this period, the freedom fighters declared a 600-square-mile liberated zone, known as Rowmari Muktanchal, spanning from Dewanganj in Jamalpur to Char Rajibpur in Kurigram via Sundarganj in Gaibandha.

In June and July, Aftab Bahini maintained a strong presence in Kodalkathi Char in Char Rajibpur upazila.

“On August 6, the Pakistani army, aiming to capture Rowmari, launched a heavy attack on Kodalkathi Char, forcing the freedom fighters to retreat to Kartimari Char,” freedom fighter Nur Hossain told The Daily Star.

To defend Rowmari for strategic importance, Aftab sought reinforcements from Shafaat Jamil, commanding officer of the 3rd East Bengal Regiment.

In response, a company led by lieutenant Nurunnabi Khan was deployed to Rowmari, said fighter Kafil Uddin, another Aftab Bahini fighter.

The final stand against the Pakistani forces was made near Kodalkathi to prevent access to Rowmari through the Sonabhori river and Jalchhera canal in Char Rajibpur.

At this time, a 40-mile defensive perimeter, stretching from Char Rajibpur to Ghughumarir Char, was put up by the 3rd Bengal and Aftab Bahini freedom fighters, said Sabur Farooqi.

“On August 8, the Pakistani army attempted to advance towards Rowmari with gunboats and launches through the Jalchhera canal.

“After a day-long battle against fierce resistance from the freedom fighters, the Pakistani forces were forced to retreat,” he added.

Despite numerous skirmishes in August and six major attacks between September 21 and 26, the Pakistani forces were unable to reach the Rowmari front due to the vigilance of the Aftab Bahini.

RECLAIMING KODALKATHI

In late September, Major Ziauddin, commander of the 1st East Bengal Regiment, ordered Aftab Bahini to capture Kodalkathi Char.

On October 1, nearly 300 Aftab Bahini freedom fighters crossed the Sonabhori River and set up camp in Shankar Madhabpur village.

The following morning, a fierce clash broke out between the freedom fighters and two Pakistani patrol teams that entered the village.

“In the confusion of the battle, the two Pakistani teams mistakenly engaged each other in friendly fire,” said Sabur.

“Our platoons, led by Riazul and Mansur, seized this opportunity and attacked. The ensuing chaos led to the elimination of both Pakistani companies, resulting in the deaths of over 150 Pakistani soldiers.”

Later, the Pakistani forces were compelled to abandon Kodalkathi and retreat to Chilmari upazila. This marked the liberation of an 800-square-mile area east of the Brahmaputra.

Till December, the Aftab Bahini fought and defended the Rowmari Muktanchal.

Translated and edited from Bangla by Subrata Roy.