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In the early months of the 1971 Liberation War, the border area of Bhomra in Satkhira became an important battleground where determined freedom fighters resisted advancing Pakistani forces.
Located along the frontier between Bangladesh and India, the region held strategic significance as a key route for movement, supply and communication. As the war intensified, the area witnessed fierce clashes that reflected the courage and determination of the Mukti Bahini, many of whom were young and lightly armed but driven by a strong desire for independence.
Across the border from Satkhira lies the Indian village of Ghojadanga. With assistance from members of the East Pakistan Rifles (EPR), about 40 spirited young men crossed the border and established a training base there. Among them were Masud Khan Chowdhury, Kamrul Islam Khan, Hablu, Kajol, Nazmul, Enamul, Kamruchhama and Badrul. They had travelled there under the guidance of MNA Abdul Gafur to receive weapons training.
Their involvement in the resistance had begun even earlier. On 29 March, shortly after the proclamation of Bangladesh’s independence, they noticed that the Pakistani flag was still flying over the Sub-Divisional Officer’s (SDO) office in Satkhira. Determined to protest, they climbed to the roof, brought down the flag and burned it beneath a bakul tree before hoisting the flag of independent Bangladesh. The act stirred a wave of inspiration among freedom-loving people throughout the district. Soon after, under the leadership of Subedar Ayub Ali, a Mukti Bahini training camp was set up in Ghojadanga, directly opposite the Bhomra customs office.
Bhomra, located about 15 kilometres from Satkhira town, was separated from India by a narrow canal. At the camp, around 30 to 40 fighters began weapons training with support from the EPR. Their only firearms were .303 rifles, yet their morale remained high.
While staying at the camp, the young fighters experienced their first taste of combat on 29 April. Pakistani troops had secretly arrived from Satkhira by vehicles and launched an attack.
They heard gunfire from the direction of Bhomra around 9am. The freedom fighters quickly rushed to join the EPR members and engaged the Pakistani soldiers. The exchange of fire continued for nearly two hours before the Pakistani troops withdrew.
A month later, on 29 May, Bhomra witnessed a much larger and more intense battle. By then the border area was largely under the control of the freedom fighters.
The operation was led by Captain Salauddin and SDPO Mahbub, with support from Subedar Ayub Ali, Subedar Shamsul Haque, Subedar Abdul Jabbar, two companies of EPR personnel and many young fighters including Masud Khan, Kamrul Islam Khan, Hablu, Kajol, Nazmul, SM Babar Ali, Kamruchhama, Abdus Salam, Mostafizur Rahman, Enamul and Badrul.
Pakistani troops began advancing toward the freedom fighters’ bunkers around 3am, crawling through the terrain in an attempt to surprise them. The fighters responded with heavy gunfire. The battle continued throughout the day and lasted until about 5pm the following afternoon.
During the fierce fighting, an estimated 250 to 300 Pakistani soldiers were killed. Later, trucks carried the bodies back to the Jashore cantonment. In the final stage of the clash, as the freedom fighters tried to carry the body of Captain Ejaz Ahmed of the Pakistani 22 FF unit across the embankment into India, one fighter was killed by enemy gunfire.
A few days later, the fighters moved to Major MA Jalil’s camp in Taki. From there they continued their participation in the war, joining battles in Town Sripur under Captain Shahjahan Master, and later in Paikgacha and Kapilmuni.
When Satkhira was finally liberated on 7 December 1971, the fighters returned home two days later, carrying with them the memory of a hard-fought struggle along the Bhomra frontier.