Map of West Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh); Image source: BBC

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When India got independence and partitioned in 1947, Pakistan was formed into two non-contiguous (which are not in physical contact with each other) territories- West Pakistan and East Pakistan, known today as Bangladesh. East Pakistan was a Bengali dominated area that felt discriminated against from the very beginning. Pakistan was reluctant to accept Bengali as a state language, there were economic disparities between the two regions, also West Pakistan's administrative hegemony over east Pakistan soured the relationship between the two areas. 

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a man with great respect for the Bengali culture founded his own party, the **Awami League.** His election campaign was a huge success and as expected he won the elections. However, West Pakistan refused to hand him over the power. According to them, a supporter of the Bengali movement couldn't be given such power overstate. The building tensions finally broke out over this issue and the two territories were now at war. 

On 26 March 1971 Bangladesh declared its independence. It is now celebrated as Independence Day in Bangladesh. How does India come into the picture between the two countries? Apart from the fact that India sits in between the two areas like a third wheel when Bangladesh declared its independence, India experienced huge migration from refugees due to the fight between the Urdu speaking population and Bengali speaking population. Not to mention, West Pakistan forces were growing violent as well. This is when India decided to intervene militarily. The violence ended on 16th December 1971 with the surrender of Pakistan's army. 

But did everyone surrender so willingly? This is the story of the defence of Kamalpur when Pakistani Captain Ahsan Malik and his 140 men created history. This story goes on in the list of epic battles no matter which country one belongs to. The small troop that fought against all odds.  

> India had decided to intervene in the war. Not only was India fed up with the violence but India would have benefitted if West Pakistan and East Pakistan separated, as, in times of war with Pakistan, India faced dangers from two different directions. Now that India had decided to intervene it collaborated with Mukti Bahini, the freedom fighters of Bangladesh. It was an organisation whose leader was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the same person who won the elections.
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Now Kamalpur was a hamlet on the border also known as the gateway to Dhaka. Earlier also the Mukti Bahini had tried to take over the hamlet from the West Pakistani forces but were unable to do so this time India supported Mukti Bahini in taking over Kamalpur. On 14th November Indian army 30 battalion brigade marched near Kamalpur.

Kler, the commander-general of Indian forces, tried to siege Kamalpur using *Mukti Bahini* troops, to his astonishment he failed. He then mounted a battalion attack with 40 men and mortars. He failed yet again. Even after continuous failures, Kler was resolved to siege Kamalpur and break down its will to resist. 

Kler launched the third attack on Pakistani positions. Alas, just like the two previous attempts this one was a fail too. The casualties were increasing, the team morale was reducing. The higher command began questioning Kler's authority. But Kler decided to prolong the siege; he knew that the Pakistani troops resisting Kamalpur had no source of backup, there was no Pakistani artillery in that sector and only two mortars left with them. He was going to starve them out of weaponry and force a surrender. 

However, Kler faced another setback while reorganising his unit. He lost 4 soldiers when a mortar bomb fell over on of his trenches. Limbs flew out. Colonel lost his nerve. 

On the other side Captain Ahsan Malik with his 140 soldiers, 70 of them who were from 31 Baluch and 70 were para-military troops didn't have any time to lose their nerves. They had no backup whatsoever. They refused to surrender and continued to hold their ground. They needed all courage they could muster because the very next moment Kler 'hammered the post with seven MiG 21s firing rockets and cannon'. This blow came thrice in a single day. 

Then the General Gurbax Singh sent a message to Captain Malik of Pakistani troops from the hands of Mukti Bahini soldier saying, " *Whatever you decide to do, we have every intention of eliminating Kamalpur post. It is to save you and our sides casualties this message is being sent to you.*" Even Malik knew he couldn't hold down the post forever, with the heavy firing that was raining down upon them and no news of a backup. What he didn't know was while he and his men were giving his all to hold down to the place, that place was no longer theirs. Pakistan during the negotiations had decided to let go of East Pakistan. 

> Malik received the news from his superiors via radio to surrender which he did later that day. When his forces were taken in, the Indian army found that Malik's army was almost out of ammunition. They only had a few hand grenades and a few bullets each turns out they were ready to fling themselves on the enemy with daggers and bayonets when it came to the end.
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After the surrender, Captain Malik became the centre of wonder even for his enemies. Sukwant Singh openly praised his courageous stand for holding a brigade of besiegers for 21 days. Malik got a personal congratulatory message from Manekshaw commending his defiant stand. Even General Major Gurbux Singh and Kler decided to meet Malik in person but while they were on their way, their jeep accidentally landed on mine that injured them and was unable to meet him then. 

All these are representations of gentlemanly gestures from fine officers were the proof of Malik's excellent leadership and his courageous soldiers. No matter which border side the soldier belongs to, they fight bravely to protect what they hold dear. In this case, India and Bangladesh won their battle and Ahmad Malik Singh won the admiration of military leaders from the three countries. 

> History is written by winners. It would have made more sense if this battle went down in history as 'Attack on Kamalpur' or 'the siege of Kamalpur' but Kamalpur couldn't be seized. No matter the winner, the war can't be named anything but '**Defence of Kamalpur**' because that's what it was, 140 soldiers holding their post against the ruthless forces for 21 days, refusing to give up.
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Tensions were running high. Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) formed a Mukti alliance demanding a separation. India thinking of its own strategic benefits supported the Bangladeshi resistance. But wars have never been easy. Did India underestimate the forces of Pakistan defending Kamalpur?