On 2 December 1971, the war in Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) continued its transformation from scattered skirmishes to coordinated operations that steadily eroded the Pakistani occupation forces’ control.
By this time, according to Hasan Hafizur Rahman’s “Bangladesh’s Liberation War Documents, Vol. 5”, the Bangladesh government at Mujibnagar had become increasingly confident that victory was imminent, while the occupying forces, aware of their shrinking options, responded with brutal measures to maintain order.
In the Ghorashal sector, Mukti Bahini fighters launched a four-pronged attack on entrenched Pakistani positions, killing 27 soldiers and recovering substantial quantities of ammunition. Similarly, in the Akhaura corridor of Brahmanbaria, the freedom fighters initiated a three-pronged offensive, forcing Pakistani troops to retreat from Azampur Railway Station.
Despite a counterattack reinforced with tanks at Akhaura Railway Station, Mukti Bahini operations caused widespread disruption and panic among enemy ranks. Over the next three days, from Kasba to Mukundapur and from Akhaura to Uzanisar, Mukti Bahini systematically severed vital transport links, including the Cumilla–Sylhet road and the Chattogram–Cumilla–Dhaka rail line, besieging Pakistani forces and inflicting heavy casualties.
Further north, the liberation forces captured the Shamshernagar airfield in Sylhet and coordinated assaults on Ghorashal, creating a multi-directional pressure point that destabilised enemy positions. In Chattogram, the Mukti Bahini extended control over northern Fatikchhari and Raozan, and southern Anwara, while guerrilla operations along the Noakhali–Chattogram route consistently harassed retreating troops.
Meanwhile, Indian forces began joint operations along the border, enabling rapid surprise attacks, leading to the liberation of Panchagarh and the advancement towards Thakurgaon.
The strategic disruption extended beyond the battlefield. The Mukti Bahini destroyed critical infrastructure, including the Rampura power supply centre in Dhaka, five substations in Chattogram, and two petrol pumps, paralysing logistical support. These successes were widely reported by international media outlets such as BBC, Voice of America, All India Radio, and the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, amplifying the psychological impact of liberation victories.
In the south, operations in Khulna, under Lieutenant Ziauddin, freed large swaths of the Sundarbans, pushing Pakistani forces towards Satkhira and establishing bases near the Rupsa River. In Tangail, Mukti Bahini captured Nagarpur Police Station and prepared to advance on Tangail town.
By the end of the day, Mukti Bahini operations had overwhelmed dispersed Pakistani forces, captured key positions, and cut critical supply lines. The psychological and operational coherence of the occupation forces was eroding, while the liberation forces’ momentum, bolstered by coordination with Indian troops, had become irreversible.
In retrospect, 2 December 1971 stands as a pivotal day – not for a single dramatic battle – but for representing the point at which Bangladesh’s journey towards liberation became undeniable and Pakistan’s defeat increasingly certain.
In the final stage of the Liberation War, the soil of Bengal was resounding with the joy of victory. Moving away from guerrilla attacks, the freedom fighters were now diving into frontal combat. Although the Pakistani forces, knowing defeat was certain, had resorted to extreme brutality, they are being forced to retreat due to the intense resistance of the freedom fighters.
Yahya Khan’s desperate letter
Smelling the stench of defeat, Pakistan’s President General Yahya Khan sent an urgent letter to US President Richard Nixon. In the letter, he attempted to draw Nixon’s attention to a clause of the 1959 Pakistan-US bilateral defense treaty, hoping for wartime assistance.
Intense battle in Brahmanbaria
When the freedom fighters attacked from three sides in the Akhaura sector, the Pakistani forces fled abandoning the Azampur railway station. Even using tanks at the Akhaura railway station, they failed to hold off.
In the three-day battle, Pakistani soldiers were defeated in the Kasba-Mukundpur and Akhaura-Ujanisar areas. The freedom fighters had completely severed the Cumilla-Sylhet road and the Chattogram-Cumilla-Dhaka railway line.
Pakistan would suffer a significant number of casualties in this battle.
Major victory in Sylhet-Ghorashal
Freedom fighters take over the Sasamnagar airport in Sylhet. By attacking the strong Pakistani base in Ghorashal from all sides, the freedom fighters had caused heavy casualties among enemy soldiers and recovered large quantities of ammunition.
Freedom fighters advancing in Chattogram-Noakhali
Most areas of Fatikchhari, Raozan, and Anwara were now under the control of the freedom fighters. Between Noakhali and Chattogram, Pakistani forces were retreating.
Panchagarh liberated, progress in Khulna-Satkhira
With the assistance of the Indian forces, freedom fighters launched a sudden attack in the darkness of night and liberated Panchagarh from the enemy and are advancing towards Thakurgaon. Under the leadership of Lieutenant Ziauddin, the freedom forces have liberated vast areas of the Sundarbans and reached the outskirts of Satkhira.
Another group established a base near Khulna, across the Rupsha River. Nagarpur police station in Tangail was liberated, and preparations were underway to attack Tangail city.
Attack on power-fuel stations
The Rampura power station in Dhaka, five sub-stations in Chattogram, and two petrol pumps were destroyed by attacks from the freedom fighters. BBC, Voice of America, Akashvani, and Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra began broadcasting news of these successes.
Although the Pakistani forces, knowing defeat was certain, had carried out massacres leading to the loss of countless lives, Mukti Bahini were advancing towards Dhaka with unstoppable momentum.
Victory was now just a matter of time.
