Like any other soldier, Mam Raj kept his motherland a top priority. Even after getting rejected, destiny brought him into the Army. Being a newcomer when in general, most of the army soldiers are trained for years, Mam Raj was made to fight none other than 1971's Battle of Bogra.
Mam Raj's first-ever encounter with gunshots, blasts, and dead bodies at a tender age initially scared him, but nothing could stop him from performing his duties with utmost honesty, dedication, and zeal. But as they say, you have to lose something to gain something. Though Mam Raj made a historic victory, he lost one of his dearest friends, whose memories are still fresh in his mind and perhaps will remain forever.
How did you join the Army?
After my matriculation in 1968, I went to Dadri to join the Navy. At first, they did not select me and asked me to return home. When I walked out, they received an emergency order saying, "recruit as many soldiers as you can." Luckily I was sitting outside only, they called me inside, and I got selected. I was given nine months of training before posting in the Battle of Bogra.
How did the war start?
When West Pakistan declared war on East Pakistan in 1971, thousands of people were killed. More than ten million refugees fled to India to avoid genocide. By November, it appeared that a war between India and Pakistan was unavoidable because India was determined to act.
On 22 November 1971, India attacked Pakistan from three sides. We, along with our 8 Guards, 5 Gharwals, and 69 Armoured, participated in the attack. It continued for two days, but we couldn't succeed.
How did the war escalate to Bogra?
Pakistani Army was positioned in Bogra. Since they had Chaffee tanks, it was difficult for them to move in Bogra's wet, muddy area. So, we used their weakness against them and finally chased them away. After that moving ahead, we stormed into Eastern Pakistan and caused enormous damage to them in Phulbari, Churkhai, Pirganj, and Bogra. Finally, Pakistan knelt on 16 December 1971, creating a glorious chapter in Indian history.
What made you scare during your 1st war?
During my first participation in the war, I was assigned an operator's job. I had to exchange messages between high commands and the team. My seniors kept encouraging me, knowing it was my first battle. However, I used to get scared by gunshots and grenades. Later on, we were taught to fire and step back quickly. Additionally, we were supposed to move a bit to find a better place to witness any attack.
How painful it is to witness dead bodies of fellow soldiers?
That moment is still fresh in my memory. When one of my teammates, who had newly joined the Army with me, got martyred. He expressed his desire to stay in our platoon and die only if destined.
He said, "I wish to stay in this squad only, even if I have to die; better I die here than going into any other squad"
But destiny had other plans.
Unfortunately, he had to make a move to the other squad as it had a shortage of fighters, but he never returned. None of us could eat anything that day.
What made you keep going even after witnessing such hard, drenching moments?
Looking at the increasing death tolls definitely made my soul cry, but since it was a do-or-die moment, I could not mourn but fight. The damage we caused to the enemy kept me going throughout the war.
What is the role of the Armoured Corps in a war?
During a military conflict or war, our armed forces' well-defined and distinct roles allow each branch to carry out its duties with maximum efficacy and surgical precision.
While the artillery provides tectonic-scale lethal firepower through field guns and medium howitzer shelling to destroy strategic establishments and irreparably weaken enemy defences, the infantry holds ground. It makes strategic inroads into enemy territory through small to medium arm assaults on their front-line positions. The Armoured Corps and Mechanised Infantry deliver a powerful punch to the enemy with highly calibrated firepower and pin-point accuracy with tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles.
For instance, our Armoured Corps used PT-76 tanks in the battle of Bogra. But now they are phased out and are replaced with T-72 and other lighter tanks.
Tell us about your unit's awards for bravery during Battle of Bogra
We received many awards and recognitions after our victory. Such as the Battle of Bogra, East Pakistan, and four Sena Medals. Additionally, our General Sb. received Vishisht Sena Medal (VSM), Naib Subedar received Vir Chakra, and so on.
Conclusion
Every participating soldier contributed significantly to the historic victory over an enemy entrenched in heavily fortified positions in the capture of Bogra. It was a typical urban battle in which grit, determination, individual and group bravery, and military prowess were all important factors. The Pakistan Army, decimated, degraded, and reduced to a pitiful state, was compelled to surrender. Thus, the capture of Bogra aided greatly in the liberation of Bangladesh.
.jpg)
