AFOVA New Letter 2 of Year 2021

Section 6 - Memoirs CV 2 No. 02 / 2021 Page 122 of 332 The Mukti Bahini had its scouts who had crossed into India from East Pakistan. They were the informers about Pakistani troop movements along the border and often tipped off the Indian outposts. The name translates as 'freedom fighters, or 'liberation army’; they were also known as the ‘Bangladesh Forces’ and were the guerrilla resistance movement consisting of the Bangladeshi military, paramilitary, and civilians during the War of Liberation that transformed East Pakistan into Bangladesh in 1971. An earlier name ‘Mukti Fauj’ was also used. They were adept at crossing the many rivers that crisscrossed the area like the Kameng River. The 5 river valleys of Arunachal Pradesh are Kameng, where Likabali is located, Siang (Dibang or Sikang), Subansiri, Lohit, and Tirap. . Lohit River is also called the River of blood - as the water flowed over rich red laterite soil that indeed gave it a red tint! All the rivers are snow-fed from the Eastern Himalayas except the Tirap which rises in the Patkai ranges. Amazingly, the Mukti Bahini could traverse the length and breadth of the valleys, as the borders were porous. These scouts set up the intelligence quotient for our Infantry and Artillery brigades and were most helpful to point out routes for the Convoys of troop carriers to avoid the suddenly flooded rivulets. It was Mukti Bahini that helped our Indian braves seek spots for entry into East Pakistan. Their contribution can never be ignored. Using guerilla warfare tactics, the Mukti Bahini secured control over large parts of the Bengali countryside. It conducted successful ambush and sabotage campaigns, and included the nascent Bangladesh Army and Navy! The Mukti Bahini received training and weapons from India where people in West Bengal shared a common Bengali ethnic and linguistic heritage with East Pakistan. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Mukti Bahini became part of the Bangladesh- India Allied Forces. It was instrumental in securing the Surrender of Pakistan and the liberation of Dacca and other cities in December 1971. The selfless contribution of the EME Workforce that kept the Infantry and Artillery brigades on the move in the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 is to be acknowledged proudly. It is a Swarnam Divas for all the forces behind the lines, too: The EME......They are the true 'Unsung Heroes behind the battle lines'!