Liberation War

Quasem, Abdur Rahman B.Com, Kobbat Mia and Mustafa Hossain. During the black-night of 25 March 1971 Pak-army unleashed a reign of terror and genocide on the people all over the country. At that critical juncture the Feni people began to be organized. Many of them had to cross the border for a new destination in the Indian soil. A training camp for guerilla war was opened at G M Hat under the guidance of Shahidul Islam. In the first week of April V. P. Jainal reported to the refugee camp situated at Bilonia School in India. The gallant freedom fighters of Feni got military training at the 

camps of Ekinpur, Chottakhola, Bara Kashari under Rajnagar thana (west of Fulgazi), Risthamukh, Hariana (east of Bilonia) and Srinagar. Amongst those who deserted Pakistani Army and joined the liberation war Captain Humayun, Zafar Imam Bir Bikram, Rafiqul Islam Bir Uttam, Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury, Captain Enam, Capt. Shahidul Islam and Capt. Shamsul Haq deserve special mentioning. Bilonia is situated at the north of Feni near Indian border. It is 16 miles from north to south and 6 miles from east to west. The river Muhuri flows from north to south in Bilonia area comprising Parshuram & Chhagalnaiya Thana. A semi-pucca road runs up to Bilonia from Feni and Chhagalnayia via

Parshuram. Besides, there was a railway line from Feni to Bilonia. 10^th East Bengal under the command of Captain Zafar Imam was on war in this area. M/S Mizan, Didar and Mokhles were engaged as company commanders. Besides, a company under the command of Captain Morshed of 2^nd East Bengal, a company under the command of Mahfuz from sector no-1 and another company under the command of Lt. Mansur participated in the battle of Bilonia.  On 22^nd October, the position of enemy soldiers was rackied. Though entrance in the middle part of enemy position was done easily but it was difficult to enter deep into the enemy position. Even the company commander shared the recky.

While coming back a leg of Subedar Jabber of East Bengal got seriously injured by anti-personal mine.

The whole battalion assembled at Rajnagar on the night of 2^nd November. It was raining continuously from 31 October. The Mukti Bahini (Liberation fighters) proceeded ahead within constant heavy rains. First of all ‘B’ company under the leadership of Lt. Mizan, then ‘C’ company under Lt. Didar and last  2^nd  East Bengal Company under Captain Morshed began to infiltrate through the middle part of the enemy position and crossed the river Muhuri in between Chandana and Suar Bazar. Captain Mahfuz and Lt. Mansur entered through Guthuma and joined ‘B’ company of 10^th East Bengal.

The Pak Army could not guess anything up to 6-30 P. M. of 3 November. At that moment Habilder Ear Ahmed saw a Pak officer coming from Saliar side  with five soldiers in a railway trolley and started firing with L M G.  The fighting continued for the whole night. On 4^th November afternoon all on a sudden 4 Pakistani Jets fired rocket on the position of freedom fighters. The situation remained unchanged up to afternoon of 5 November. Same day noon again there was air strike by Pakistani planes. On 6 November night Pak army attacked Saldabazar. By the next  morning the liberation forces captured Saldabazar. The same day the commander was called to the Head Quarter when Bilonia pocket was completely under the control of Pak Army. The commander was ordered to liberate the whole pocket from Bilonia railway station to Feni. Parshuram, Chithulia , Fulgazi, Munshirhat, Bilonia and Feni were the strongholds of Pak Army. The freedom fighters took a firm determination to drive out the enemy forces from these places. This was a memorable day in the liberation war of Feni.

The freedom fighters were silently and very carefully advancing to trap the enemy. They knew that the whole plan would be upset if the enemy forces could guess their position. At night the freedom fighters communicated with their commanders. They  encircled the enemy soldiers at Parshuram and Chithulia before dawn. This was informed through wireless to General Hira of Mitra Bahini who congratulated the Muktibahini for this wonderful job. That night with the help of Mitra Bahini artillery force’s fierce attack was unleashed on Parshuram and Bilonia. The enemy forces could not stand for long. Almost 80% of them were killed in this fighting. Parshuram & Bilonia were captured within the night. Bilonia was a strong camp of Pak Army and was under the command of 15 Baluch Regiment. Muktibahini took the technic of secret infiltration as a war strategy. From May to 18 July some stray fighting took place to capture Bilonia. But the Pak Army became successful & made their position strong. The famous Bilonia battle took place in November. Major Ayenuddin on 3 November attacked Pak Army at  Latumura with his forces of East Bengal. Muktibahini suffered heavily in this fight. After that sector commander Khaled  Mosharraf  ordered Captain Jafar Imam to destroy all enemy camps from Bilonia to Feni station . On 8 November Mitrabahini attacked the enemy position at Parshuram and Bilonia with a company soldiers. In this fight Pak Army attacked through air shelling. Bilonia came under Muktibahini on 9 November. A severe front fighting took place in the middle of April with the occupation army in order to capture a bridge. 15 soldiers of occupation army were killed and many others injured. Captain Wali Ahmed led the Liberation force and Major Zia was in the main leadership. Fighting also took place under the leadership of Capt. Enamul Haq in some places of the area. At last in November under the leadership of Capt. Mahfuz & supervision of Major Rafiqul Islam severe fighting took place with the help of Mitrabahini when Shuvapur area came under the control of liberation army. 50 Pakistani soldiers lost their lives  & many got  injured in this event. Seven freedom fighters accepted martyrdom and some got injured. The enemy was completely defeated.