The Battle of Goalhati occurred on 5 September 1971, during the Bangladesh Liberation War. Lance Nayek Nur Mohammad Sheikh was selected as the captain of the Standing Patrol team at Goalhati, located in Jessore's Chutipur Camp, which was established to monitor the activities of the Pakistan Army.[1]
Battle of Goalhati | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of Bangladesh Liberation War | |||||||
| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Unknown | Lance Nayek Nur Mohammad † | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
Eastern Command | Sector - VIII | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Unknown | Unknown |
While patrolling, the Mukti Bahini team was ambushed by the Pakistani Army, which attacked them from three different sides.[2] Despite the dire situation, Nur Mohammad chose to engage the enemy rather than retreat. During the confrontation, one of his comrades, Nannu Mia, was injured by enemy fire. In an attempt to carry Nannu Mia to safety, Nur Mohammad engaged the enemy despite overwhelming odds.[3]
Nur Mohammad was struck by a mortar shell, severely injuring his foot. Despite his injuries, he continued to provide covering fire for his team, allowing them a chance to escape. At that moment, his fellow soldier, Sepoy Mostafa, urged him to retreat, but Nur Mohammad refused to leave his post. He gave his light machine gun to Mostafa to prevent it from being captured after his death and fought on with a self-loaded rifle until he succumbed to his injuries.[4][5]
Honours
editNur Mohammad was awarded Bir Sreshtho for his bravery during the battle[6]
References
edit- ^ "Sheikh, Birsrestha Nur Mohammad". Banglapedia. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ "Battle of Goalhati". The Daily Star. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ "Bir Sreshtho Nur Mohammad Sheikh". Bengal Chronicle. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ "Sheikh, Birsrestha Nur Mohammad". BSS News. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ "Battle of Goalhati – Jessore". Liberation War. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ "The Legacy of Bangladesh's Seven Bir Sreshthas". Diplomats News. Retrieved 8 November 2024.