Cumilla: Today marks Cumilla Liberation Day, commemorating the day in 1971 when Cumilla, Chandpur, and Brahmanbaria-then known as the greater Cumilla district-were liberated from the control of the Pakistan army. Freedom fighters declared Cumilla free when the district's first administrator, Advocate Ahmed Ali, hoisted the national flag of independent Bangladesh at the Town Hall field.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the liberation of Cumilla was a result of a coordinated attack by allied forces and freedom fighters. The assault was launched from three sides on the Pakistan army's 22 Baluch Regiment, stationed at Cumilla Airport, on the night of December 7. The operation was led by Lt Col R.K. Mazumdar of the allied forces' 11 Regiment.
Documented history of the Liberation War reveals that Lieutenant Didarul Alam led a group that advanced through the border area of Bibir Bazar. Two additional groups crossed the River Gomti, entering through Bhatarpara in the city and Bagherchar in Chauddagram, to launch attacks on the Pakistani army base at the airport. Despite reinforcements from the nearby Mainamati Cantonment, Pakistani troops could not withstand the joint assault.
After fierce overnight fighting, the Pakistan army retreated towards Mainamati before dawn, leaving several bodies of their soldiers around the airport area. The battle claimed the lives of 26 freedom fighters. By daybreak, freedom fighters took control of the airport's main base, leading to widespread celebration among local residents.
Cumilla District Commander of Freedom Fighters, Safiul Alam Babul, recalled, "Cumilla was liberated at dawn on December 8. We entered Cumilla from Agartala-Sonamura on foot. The people welcomed the freedom fighters with flowers." Valiant Freedom Fighter Monirul Haque Chowdhury, who is also the BNP-nominated candidate for the Cumilla-6 constituency, added, "Greater Cumilla was freed even before the country's victory on December 16. My heartfelt greetings to the people of Cumilla on this Liberation Day."