After the first strike, Gurbux Singh sent a note to the post commander through a Mukti Bahini courier, saying: “You have during the last few days made frantic efforts to bring in supplies and ammunition, and you know you have not been successful. These supplies have fallen in our hands… The time of your post is up and whatever you decide to do we have every intention of eliminating Kamalpur post. It is to save you and our side casualties this message is being sent to you. Since yesterday we are at war with Pakistan, and we hope you are aware that our troops at this moment are operationg many miles to your south.”
There was a further exchance of wireless messages between the post commander and his commanding officer, who promised the post assistance in the way of reinforcements and a retaliatory air strike, but nothing materialised.
There was no response from the post commander except in terms of renewed intensity of machine-gun fire. The General ordered the second air strike and pounded the post once again about midday, and followed it with another note: “You did not take note of the first message sent to you. This is our last attempt to request you to see reason. You will get a taste of the medicine administrated a short while ago [a reference to the air strike on the post]. In case you decide to surrender, I give you assurance that you will be accorded honours due to an enemy who has put up a gallant fight…”
There was no reply to this note either except defiance shcwn by more fire from the post bunkers. There was a further exchance of wireless messages between the post commander and his commanding officer, who promised the post assistance in the way of reinforcements and a retaliatory air strike, but nothing materialised. The General was by then getting impatient and more belligerent. He ordered another air strike on the post in the afternoon and followed this up with his third and final message: “Please let me know definitely by 1600 hours whether you wish to surrender. I cannot give you more time for certain reasons. It would be much better if you come along with the messenger. I give you my word of honour that you will come to no harm.” In cold contempt, the post opened up with all its weapons with renewed vigour. This left Gurbux Singh fuming and frustrated.
Bakhshiganj was the next defended locality held north of the Brahmaputra along the Mahendarganj-Bakhshigang-Jamalpur axis. The Pakistani forces were holding Sherpur on the parallel axis, thus denying both axes effectively.
He was planning a night attack when Capt Ahsan Malik, the post commander, came out with a white flag at about 1900 hours and offered the surrender of his garrison. He said he was doing so on the instructions of his superiors and not on account of the notes sent by the opposing commander. He had put up a courageous stand throughout the siege and had surrendered after holding a brigade of besiegers for 21 days with a company strength of a mixture of Regulars, Rangers and Razakars totalling about 140 men. Hardly any casualties had been suffered as a result of the Indian artillery bombardment and air strikes. The brave stand by the courageous Baluchi captain was recognised by his adversaries. Manekshaw sent a personal congratulatory message to Malik, commending his defiant stand. He instructed the concerned formation commander to treat the Kamalpur prisoners of war with the respect and kindness due to brave soldiers.
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