Madunaghat Power Substation operation: Signature of fearless assault

Amid the chaos of the 1971 Liberation War, the Madunaghat Power Substation in Chattogram became more than a hub of electricity. Freedom fighters had turned it into a battlefield where courage outweighed firepower. 
In a daring operation that has since become legendary, they launched a fearless assault on the heavily guarded facility, risking everything to strike a decisive blow. Their audacity, precision, and unwavering resolve left an indelible mark on history, making the Madunaghat Power Substation Operation in Chattogram a signature of bravery in the struggle for independence.
It was on 6 October, 1971. First there was a guide, leading the way. Behind him were the team leader and his fellow fighters. They had only two heavy weapons: one RL (rocket launcher) and one LMG. Their other arms included SMGs, Sten guns, rifles, and a few hand grenades.
That day, they attacked the Madunaghat Power Substation, located within Chattogram district. The substation sat on the north side of the Chattogram-Kaptai road and to the west of the Halda River.
The electricity generated at the Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Station was distributed to various areas of Chattogram through this facility. 
During the Liberation War, its security was maintained by a team of about 100 personnel, composed of Pakistan army soldiers, militia, and collaborators (Razakars). Bunkers surrounded the entire facility.
The brave freedom fighters set up their initial position not far from Madunaghat. Before the attack, they had reconnoitered the power substation area. On the designated night, they positioned themselves about 50-60 yards from the facility.
As planned, two sub-teams of freedom fighters opened fire to keep the Pakistani forces, who were tasked with securing the substation, fully engaged.

Seizing this opportunity at around 3am, the main group of freedom fighters took position near the substation’s transformers and launched several rockets at the substation using the RL at them. 
The rockets hit their targets with precision, setting fire to three transformers and destroying all of those. As a result, electricity supply to Chattogram city and surrounding areas was immediately cut off.
The Pakistani soldiers were alert and immediately launched a counterattack. From the surrounding bunkers, they rained bullets on the freedom fighters. The fighters responded with fierce assaults of their own, and gunfire erupted across the substation. 
During the intense fighting, a freedom fighter named Abdul Mannan was suddenly struck by bullets and fell to the ground. Several bullets hit his chest, and he was martyred. 
On that day, the Pakistani forces also suffered significant losses. On the freedom fighters’ side, besides Abdul Mannan, three or four others, including the team leader Sultan Mahmud (Bir Uttam), were wounded. 
The operation to destroy the Madunaghat Power Substation was a major success for the freedom fighters. News of the mission was widely broadcast through the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra as well as foreign radio channels and newspapers.