Military & Aerospace

Liberation of Bangladesh: War in Northern Sector - II
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Patrol clashes occurred between the roadblocks and Jamalpur on the night of 8/9 December, but Mahmood learnt of the strength of the Indian forces behind him only when a Toyota car carrying a commando officer, Capt Jamsher Ahmed, on a visit to Jamalpur was ambushed by the Marathas at about 1000 hours on 9 December. The car was captured but the Captain escaped to tell the story.

Pakistanis captured in patrol clashes had revealed that Mahmood was holding Jamalpur with a garrison strenth of some 1,500 rank and file, including the major portion of 31 Baluch, with a battery of 120-mm mortars and some six-pounder anti-tank guns and a large number of medium machine guns.

Meanwhile, artillery and air activity was concentrated on the north bank to stimulate an attack from that direction, but it did not appear that Col Mahmood was deceived on that account. He set about breaking out of the siege before Kler could master sufficient strength to attack. He felt that since the Indian columns progressing towards Mymensingh were far off he had a chance to break out as he had done at Bakhshiganj, before the Indian columns joined up for his destruction. He had not taken into account the Indian capability to build-up nearly brigade strength across such a formidable river obstacle without clearing Jamalpur, but this had happened.

Pakistanis captured in patrol clashes had revealed that Mahmood was holding Jamalpur with a garrison strenth of some 1,500 rank and file, including the major portion of 31 Baluch, with a battery of 120-mm mortars and some six-pounder anti-tank guns and a large number of medium machine guns. The garrison fortifications were mainly sited along the north bank of the river, covering the approaches from the north, and the railway embankment on the south. The maximum use had been made of built-up areas. The weapons were sited in strong bunkers with enough stockpiling to last him weeks. The position had a great defence potential and was a difficult nut to crack.

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