Crack Platoon 1971

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The name “Crack Platoon” is inspired from the special commando team of “Mukti Bahini” which was formed in 1971 during the Liberation War of Bangladesh. Inspired by their patriotism, a group of highly enthusiastic youths felt their responsibilities to their motherland.

Crack Platoon or Dhaka Crack Platoon was a special commando team of the Mukti Bahini which was formed in 1971 during the Bangladesh Liberation War. It was a suicide squad formed by young members of Mukti Bahini which carried out commando operations in Dhaka and its surroundings.[1] The commandos were mostly students and civilians, received guerrilla training later in the training camps for Mukti Bahini in India and then engaged in battle against Pakistan Army.[2]

It was instrumental in securing the Surrender of Pakistan and the liberation of Dacca and other cities in December 1971. Crack Platoon: In June 1971, World Bank sent a mission to observe the situation in East Pakistan. The media cell of Pakistan government was circulating a news that situation in East Pakistan was stable and normal. CRACK Platoon. Sections of this page. Accessibility Help. Press alt + / to open this menu. Email or Phone: Password: Forgot account? See more of CRACK Platoon on Facebook. Create New Account. See more of CRACK Platoon on Facebook.

Background

In August 1947, the Partition of British India gave rise to two new states;[3] the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan, the latter intended to be a homeland for the Muslims of the Indian sub-continent. The Dominion of Pakistan comprised two geographically and culturally separate areas to the east and the west of India.[4] The western zone was popularly (and for a period of time, also officially) termed West Pakistan and the eastern zone (now Bangladesh) was initially termed East Bengal and later, East Pakistan. Although the population of the two zones was close to equal, political power was concentrated in West Pakistan and it was widely perceived that East Pakistan was being exploited economically, leading to many grievances. Administration of two discontinuous territories was also seen as a challenge.[5] On 25 March 1971, rising political discontent and cultural nationalism in East Pakistan was met by brutal[6] suppressive force from the ruling elite of the West Pakistan establishment,[7] in what came to be termed Operation Searchlight[8]

The events of the nine-month conflict of the Bangladesh Liberation War are widely viewed as genocide; the Pakistan Army and collaborators targeted Hindu communities, intellectuals and members of the political opposition for attacks.[9] Historians have estimated that, during the conflict, between two hundred thousand[10] and four hundred thousand[11] women and children[12] were raped leading to an estimated 25,000 war babies being born.[13] Estimates of persons killed during the conflict range from between 269,000[14] to one[15] to three million.[16] An estimated ten million refugees entered India, a situation which contributed to its government's decision to intervene militarily in the civil war. Thirty million people were displaced.[16]Susan Brownmiller documented that girls from the age of eight to grandmothers of seventy-five suffered rapes during the war.[17]

Formation

Formation of Muktibahini

Main article: Mukti Bahini
Crack Platoon 1971

The Mukti Bahini consisted of Bengali members of Pakistan armed forces and civilians from East Pakistan, in response to the Operation Searchlight on March 25, 1971, a violent military operation carried out by the Pakistan Army to curb the Bengali nationalist movement through selective genocide of Bengali people.

Mukti Bahini used Guerrilla warfare tactics to fight against the Pakistan Army. How to get an oklahoma drivers license. India provided economic, military and diplomatic support to the Mukti Bahini, leading West Pakistan to launch Operation Chengiz Khan, a preemptive attack on the western border of India which started the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.The operation also precipitated the 1971 Bangladesh genocide and caused roughly 10 million refugees to flee to India. Essentially Bengali intelligentsia, academics and Hindus were targeted for the harshest treatment, with significant indiscriminate killing taking place. These systematic killings enraged the Bengalis, who declared independence from Pakistan, to achieve the new state of Bangladesh.

Formantion and deployment of Crack Platoon

In June, 1971, World Bank sent a mission to observe the situation in East Pakistan. The media cell of Pakistan government was circulating a news that situation in East Pakistan was stable and normal. Khaled Mosharraf, a sector commander of Mukti Bahini, planned to deploy a special commando team. The task assigned to the team was to carry out commando operations and to terrorize Dhaka. The major objective of this team was to prove that the situation was not normal actually. Moreover, Pakistan. at that time, was expecting economic aid from World Bank, which was assumed to be spent to buy arms. The plan was to make World Bank Mission understand the true situation of East Pakistan and stop sanctioning the aid.[18] Khaled along with A.T.M Haider, another sector commander formed the Crack Platoon. Initially, number of commandos in the platoon was 17. Those commandos were receiving training in Melaghar Camp at that time.[19] From Melaghar, commandos of Crack Platoon headed for Dhaka on June 4, 1971 and launched guerrilla operation on June 5.[18] Later, number of commandos was increased, the platoon was split and deployed in different areas surrounding Dhaka city.[20]

Major objectives and success

The basic objectives of Crack Platoon were to demonstrate the strength of Mukti Bahini, terrorizing Pakistan Army and their collaborators. Another major objective was proving to the international community that the situation in East Pakistan was not normal. That commando team also aimed at inspiring the people of Dhaka who were frequently being victims of killing and torture. These objectives were successfully fulfilled by Crack Platoon. The world Bank mission, in its report, clearly described the hazardous situation that was prevailing in East Pakistan. In the report world bank mission prescribed to end the military regime in East Pakistan.[21] Crack Platoon carried out several successful and important operations. The power supply in Dhaka was devastated[22][23] which caused severe problem for Pakistan Army and the military administration in Dhaka. The Chinese restaurants in Dhaka had become almost prohibited for Pakistani army officers.[24]

Recognition and awards

The role of Crack Platoon in the Bangladesh Liberation War was highly appreciated by the post war government of Bangladesh and the people. Six commandos of Crack Platoon were awarded Bir Bikrom, third highest gallantry award in Bangladesh and two commandos were awarded Bir Protik, fourth highest gallantry award in Bangladesh.

References

  1. ↑ , Children take interview of 55 war heroes, The Daily Star, August 9, 2008.
  2. ↑ Islam, Zahirul (2013). মুক্তিযুদ্ধে মেজর হায়দার ও তার বিয়োগান্ত বিদায়. প্রথমা প্রকাশন. p.76. ISBN978 984 90253 1 3.
  3. ↑ 'Britain Proposes Indian Partition'. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada: The Leader-Post. BUP. 2 June 1947.
  4. ↑ Grover, Preston (8 June 1947). 'India Partition Will Present Many Problems'. Sarasota, Florida, USA: Herald-Tribune, via Google News. Associated Press.
  5. ↑ 'Problems of Partition'. The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, Australia. 14 June 1947.
  6. ↑ 'Genocide in Bangladesh, 1971. Gendercide Watch'. Gendercide.org. Archived from the original on August 1, 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  7. ↑ 'Emerging Discontent, 1966–70. Country Studies Bangladesh'. Countrystudies.us. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  8. ↑ Bose, Sarmila (8 October 2005). 'Anatomy of Violence: Analysis of Civil War in East Pakistan in 1971'. Economic and Political Weekly. Archived from the original on 1 March 2007.
  9. ↑ D'Costa, Bina (1 November 2011). Nationbuilding, Gender and War Crimes in South Asia. Routledge. p.144. ISBN978-0415565660.
  10. ↑ Saikia, Yasmin (2011). Elizabeth D. Heineman, ed. Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones: From the Ancient World to the Era of Human Rights. University of Pennsylvania Press. p.157. ISBN978-0-8122-4318-5.
  11. ↑ Riedel, Bruce O. (2011). Deadly embrace: Pakistan, America, and the future of the global jihad. Brookings Institution. p.10. ISBN978-0-8157-0557-4.
  12. ↑ Ghadbian, Najib (2002). Kent Worcester; Sally A. Bermanzohn; Mark Ungar, eds. Violence and politics: globalization's paradox. Routledge. p.111. ISBN978-0415931113.
  13. ↑ D'Costa, Bina (1 November 2010). Nationbuilding, Gender and War Crimes in South Asia. Routledge. p.132. ISBN978-0415565660.
  14. ↑ Obermeyer, Ziad; Christopher J L Murray; Emmanuela Gakidou (26 June 2008). 'Fifty years of violent war deaths from Vietnam to Bosnia: analysis of data from the world health survey programme'. British Medical Journal. BMJ 2008 (7659): 1482–6. doi:10.1136/bmj.a137. PMC2440905. PMID18566045.
  15. ↑ DeGroot, Gerard (2011). The Seventies Unplugged: A Kaleidoscopic Look at a Violent Decade. Pan Macmillan. p.64. ISBN978-0330455787.
  16. Totten, Samuel; Paul Robert Bartrop; Steven L. Jacobs. Dictionary of Genocide: A-L. Volume 1: Greenwood. p.34. ISBN978-0-313-32967-8.
  17. ↑ Debnath, Angela (2009). Samuel Totten, ed. Plight and fate of women during and following genocide (7th ed.). Transaction. p.49. ISBN978-1412808279.
  18. Mosharraf, Khaled (2013). মুক্তিযুদ্ধে ২ নম্বর সেক্টর এবং কে ফোর্স. প্রথমা প্রকাশন. pp.55–56. ISBN978 984 90253 2 0.
  19. ↑ Islam, Zahirul (2013). মুক্তিযুদ্ধে মেজর হায়দার ও তার বিয়োগান্ত বিদায়. প্রথমা প্রকাশন. p.77. ISBN978 984 90253 1 3.
  20. ↑ Islam, Zahirul (2013). মুক্তিযুদ্ধে মেজর হায়দার ও তার বিয়োগান্ত বিদায়. প্রথমা প্রকাশন. p.78. ISBN978 984 90253 1 3.
  21. ↑ Gavshon, Arthur L. (14 July 1971). 'Experts Cite Remedial Measures for East Pakistan'. The Day. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  22. ↑ '3 Power Plants Bombed By East Pakistan Rebels'. Morning Record. 22 July 1971.
  23. ↑ 'Pakistan Rebels Bomb Plant'. The Daily News. 22 October 1971.
  24. ↑ 'Dacca Cafes Bombed'. The spokesman-Review. 25 July 1971.
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(Redirected from Para-Commando Brigade(Bangladesh Army))
ParaCommando Brigade
Active1976 – present
CountryBangladesh
AllegianceBangladesh Army
TypeSpecial Operations Force
RoleSpecial Operations, Unconventional Warfare, Direct action, Special Reconnaissance, Counter Terrorism, Foreign Internal Defence, Asymmetric Warfare
Size2 Battalions
Part ofBangladesh Army
Garrison/HQSylhet Cantonment
Nickname(s)The Cheetahs
Motto(s)Do or Die
ColorsMaroon
Mascot(s)Cheetah
Engagements
  • Operation Twilight in Sylhet[1]
Commanders
Current
commander		Brigadier General Muhsin Alam NDC,PSC[2]

The Para-Commando Brigade is an independent special operations brigade of the Bangladesh Army. The brigade was officially formed on 4 September 2016 on adhoc basis consisting two para-commando battalions.[3]

  • 1History
  • 3Operations

History[edit]

Crack Platoon[edit]

Platoon

Crack Platoon was a specialized commando unit of Muktibahini during the liberation war of Bangladesh. The commando officer Major A.T.M Haider (a former SSG commando in Pakistan Army) formed this unit under the command of sector no-2. Sector commander Khaled Mosarrof personally took care of this unit.In June 1971, commander Khaled made a plan to send commandos in Dhaka city. Because a delegation came from World Bank to visit the East-Pakistan(Now Bangladesh). For that,The Pakistan government was trying to show them, everything was normal in Dhaka. But The commander of sector-2, Khaled Mosarrof was trying to show the whole world that situation was not normal in Dhaka. For that, he along with Commando Major Haider made a plan to launch a commando assault in Dhaka City. They decided to send the specialized platoon-'Y' (which was renamed as Crack-Platoon) in Dhaka City. The Commandos successfully launched some operations in Dhaka city and showed the whole world that nothing was normal there.[4]

The platoon's operations included:[5]

1. Operation Hotel Intercontinental[6]

2. Operation Five power stations

3. Operation Farmgate

4. Operation Dhanmondi

Crack Platoon 1971 Game

5. Operation Green road

Special Warfare Wing[edit]

Bangladesh Army Para-Commando troop at Victory Day Parade 2015.

In 1976, Special Warfare Wing was established at Chittagong Cantonment. Later,it was shifted to the Sylhet cantonment. From then this wing started working under the Bangladesh Army School of Infantry and Tactics(SI&T). This was the first step towards the formation of a special force in Independent Bangladesh. In 1980, the army commando course and the counter-insurgency course was started in special warfare wing. In the same year, the special warfare wing was expanded to special warfare school. The Army Airborne School was established in 1988 at Sylhet Cantonment under Special Warfare Wing. In 1988, the first para training course was started at the special warfare school.

1st Para-Commando Battalion[edit]

On 30 June 1992, the 1st Para-Commando Battalion started its journey at Jalalabad cantonment of Sylhet.[7] The flag of the battalion was raised in May 1993. On 1 June 2015, 1st Para-Commando Battalion came out as a full-fledged regiment. After the formation of ad-hoc para-Commando Brigade on 4 September 2016, they started working under the command of the Brigade.

The battalion was awarded the national standard on 2 November 2017 as a recognition of their outstanding works.[8]

Structure[edit]

Under this brigade's command, there are two Para-Commando battalions. They are:

  • 1st Para-Commando Battalion, headquartered in Sylhet.[9]
  • 2nd Para-Commando Battalion, headquartered in Sreemangal Upazila, Maulavibazar

As typical commando battalions, these battalions are quite understrength compared to a regular Bangladesh Army infantry battalion, in terms of both manpower and firepower. Each Para-Commando battalion is Consisted of a HQ company and 3 Operations Companies. Each company has separate troops of various specialities i.e Air Assault, Reconnaissance, Jungle Warfare etc. Battalions also includes of medical,signals and other support personnel, all of whom are airborne and commando qualified.

Operations[edit]

United Nations peacekeeping[edit]

Bangladesh Army Para-Commando troops patrolling at a UN mission

Bangladesh is participating in different UN peacekeeping missions since 1988. Currently, Bangladesh is one of the largest contributors of the UN peacekeeping operations. Bangladesh Army has deployed its Special Forces in various UN Peacekeeping and Peace Enforcement missions, notably in Ivory Coast, South Sudan, Darfur, Central African Republic, Haiti and Mali. These Special Forces detachments are often tasked with high risk rescue operations and raids against insurgents. [10][11][12]

Dhaka Holey Artisan Bakery Hostage Crisis[edit]

On 1 July 2016, five assailants stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery with crude bombs, machetes, ak 22 rifle and pistols, in Dhaka's affluent neighbourhood, Gulshan 2, which is extremely popular among expatriates and foreigners, at roughly 9:20 pm, taking hostage of the locals and foreigners inside.[13] Not realising the gravity of the situation, the initial assault to secure the premises, commenced by Dhaka Metropolitan Police, resulted in the casualties of two police officers in exchanging gunfire with the assailants.

Para-commandos in action during Operation Thunderbolt at Holey Artisan in Gulshan on the morning of July 2nd 2016

[14] However, Police and the Rapid Action Battalion acted with celerity in setting up a perimeter around the Bakery to block escape of any assailant.[15] After fruitless hours of seeking to bring a peaceful solution to the problem, when the perpetrators refused to communicate with authorities, the realisation set that alternative measures were required.[15]

At an early morning meeting on Saturday (2 July), the highest level of Government decided to engage the 1st Commando Battalion. They were flown in from Sylhet to carry out a counterassault and free the hostages.[15][16] After gathering intelligence from RAB and the Police forces present on the ground, Commandos initiated their raid (codenamed 'Operation Thunderbolt'), which began at 7:40 am and concluded at 8:30 am.[13][16] They were successfully able to free 13 hostages and kill the assailants.[16]

Crack platoon 1971 cast

During the attack, 9 Italians, 7 Japanese, 2 Bangladeshis, 1 Indian, and 1 American were killed by the perpetrators.[13][15]

Operation Twilight in Sylhet[edit]

On Thursday, 23 March 2017, the Bangladesh Police surrounded a suspected militant hideout in Dakshin Surma Upazila, Sylhet, Bangladesh. Later, a SWAT team joined the police unit from Dhaka.[17] The housing complex has two apartment buildings. The Police unit was reinforced with personal from Rapid Action Battalion on Friday.[18] On Saturday, the 1st Para Commando Battalion took charge of operations and named it Operation Twilight.[18]

Operation Twilight was launched by the 1st Para-Commando Battalion of the adhoc para-commando brigade of the Bangladesh Army under the command of GOC of 17th Infantry Division in Jalalabad Cantonment Major General Anwarul Momen.[19] The main gate of the building was blocked by the militants with a refrigerator with an IED attached to it.[20] The building had 30 apartments and 150 rooms, the militants were constantly changing their location.[21] The operation was launched on Saturday morning around 8am. The Commando unit was being assisted by SWAT and Bangladesh Police.[22] Security forces established a three kilometre perimeter around the militant hideout. The commandos rescued 78 civilians trapped in the building from Thursday.[23] Two militants were killed in the initial attack, one of who detonated a suicide vest. The militants had planted IEDs all over the building which slowed down the military operation.[24] Army spokesman, Brigadier General Fakhrul Ahsan, reported that the operation would take more time because of the presence of IEDs in 'strategic points' in the building. The Bangladesh Army used RPGs and shells to drive the militants out without much success.[25] The commandos also used Armoured Personnel Carriers in the operation.[26] Finally four militants were found dead at the hideout.[27][28]

Operation Chiitagong Airport[edit]

In 24 February 2019,A Bangladeshi Boeing 737-800 aircraft was hijacked by a gunman on the air. The aircraft was landed to the Chittagong Airport as an emergency landing while it was going to Dubai from Dhaka. A gunman named Palash tried to hijack the aircraft. Though his intention was not clear the authority was trying to negotiate with him. But when everything was failed and then Government ordered the ParaCommando Brigade to Launch an operation. Paracommando brigade members came to the place and launched an operation. The commandos took only eight(8) minutes to make a conclusion. As a result, the hijacker was shoot dead by the commandos, 148 passengers and crew got free from the hostage situation.[29]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^''Operation Twilight' at Sylhet militant den ends'. The Daily Star. 28 March 2017.
  2. ^http://www.ispr.gov.bd/মহামান্য-রাষ্ট্রপতি-কর্-2/
  3. ^'Recounting 'Operation Thunderbolt''. The Daily Star. 3 July 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  4. ^'BRAVE HEARTS'. The Daily Star. 27 March 2015.
  5. ^'They gave their today, for our tomorrow'. The Daily Star. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  6. ^'Operation Hotel Intercontinental: 'HIT & RUN''. The Daily Star. 6 December 2014.
  7. ^'Stay alert to deal with unexpected situation'. The Daily Star. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  8. ^'জাতীয় পতাকা পাচ্ছেন প্যারা কমান্ডোরা'. Dailybdnews.com. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  9. ^'Brig Gen Zahur given Responsibility of CEO (Current Charge), DSE'(PDF). Dhaka Stock Exchange. Archived from the original(PDF) on 16 May 2012.
  10. ^'Bangladesh's peacekeeping role lauded'. The Daily Star. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  11. ^'UN official praises Bangladesh's role'. The Daily Star. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  12. ^Saha, Amity. 'Bangladesh's role in int’l peacekeeping The Asian Age Online, Bangladesh'. The Asian Age. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  13. ^ abc'Bangladesh siege: Twenty killed at Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka'. BBC News. 2 July 2016. Archived from the original on 2 July 2016.
  14. ^The Associated Press (2 July 2016). 'Commandos storm Dhaka restaurant, several hostages rescued'. CTV News.
  15. ^ abcdManik, Julfikar Ali; Anand, Geeta; Barry, Ellen (2 July 2016). 'Bangladesh Attack Is New Evidence That ISIS Has Shifted Its Focus Beyond the Mideast'. The New York Times.
  16. ^ abcMarszal, Andrew; Graham, Chris (2 July 2016). '20 hostages killed in 'Isil' attack on Dhaka restaurant popular with foreigners'. The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 1 July 2016.
  17. ^Manik, Julfikar Ali; Anand, Geeta (26 March 2017). 'Bangladeshi Assault Kills 2 Militants but Fails to End Standoff'. The New York Times. ISSN0362-4331. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  18. ^ ab'It seems the army has settled for a long haul in Sylhet to neutralise the militants'. bdnews24.com. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  19. ^'Blasts during Sylhet hideout operation kill 6'. Prothom Alo. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  20. ^'3 killed, 31 hurt in blasts outside Sylhet 'militant den''. The Daily Star. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  21. ^'Blasts kill 5 amid raid'. The Daily Star. 26 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  22. ^'Jt forces' anti-militant 'operation' launched'. Prothom Alo. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  23. ^'Gunfire, blasts heard as Sylhet militant hideout siege enters third day'. bdnews24.com. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  24. ^'Two killed, more 'well-trained' militants inside, says army in Sylhet'. bdnews24.com. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  25. ^'2 militants killed, Sylhet raid to linger: Army'. The Daily Star. 26 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  26. ^'Bangladesh commandos storm militants hideout in Sylhet, rescue 78 civilians'. hindustantimes.com/. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  27. ^'4 militants dead at Sylhet den: Army'. The Daily Star. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  28. ^'Live: Four militants killed as Sylhet raid nears end'. Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  29. ^'A swift operation of 8 minutes'. The Daily Star. 24 February 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
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