The Crack Platoon was a special commando team of the Mukti Bahini. which was formed in 1971, during the

Bangladesh Liberation War The Bangladesh Liberation War (, ), also known as the Bangladesh War of Independence, was an War, armed conflict sparked by the rise of the Bengali nationalism, Bengali nationalist and self-determination movement in East Pakistan, which res ...

. It was formed by young members of the Mukti Bahini, which carried out commando operations in

Dhaka Dhaka ( or ; , ), List of renamed places in Bangladesh, formerly known as Dacca, is the capital city, capital and list of cities and towns in Bangladesh, largest city of Bangladesh. It is one of the list of largest cities, largest and list o ...

and its surroundings and led by Major Khaled Mosharraf. The commandos were mostly students and civilians, who received guerrilla training later in the training camps for Mukti Bahini and then engaged in battle against the Pakistani Army.

Formation

Formation and deployment of Crack Platoon

In June 1971, during the

, the

World Bank The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and Grant (money), grants to the governments of Least developed countries, low- and Developing country, middle-income countries for the purposes of economic development ...

sent a mission to observe the situation in East Pakistan. The media cell of the Pakistani Government was circulating a news that situation in East Pakistan was stable and normal. Khaled Mosharraf, a sector commander of Mukti Bahini, planned to deploy a special commando team. The task assigned to the team was to carry out commando operations and activities in

. The major objective of this team was to prove that the situation was not normal actually. Moreover, Pakistan at that time, was expecting economic aid from

, which was assumed to be spent to buy arms. The plan was to make World Bank Mission understand the true situation of East Pakistan and stop sanctioning the aid. Khaled along with Abu Taher Mohammad Haider, another sector commander formed the Crack Platoon. Initially, number of commandos in the platoon was 17. Those commandos were receiving training in Melaghar Camp at that time. From Melaghar, commandos of Crack Platoon headed for Dhaka on 4 June 1971 and launched guerrilla operation on 5 June. Later, number of commandos was increased, the platoon was split and deployed in different areas surrounding Dhaka.

Major objectives and success

The basic objectives of Crack Platoon were to demonstrate the strength of the Mukti Bahini, by fighting the Pakistani Army and their collaborators. Another major objective was proving to the international community that the situation in East Pakistan was not normal. That commando team also aimed at inspiring the people of

who were frequently being victims of killing and torture. These objectives were successfully fulfilled by Crack Platoon. The World Bank mission, in its report, clearly described the hazardous situation that was prevailing in East Pakistan. In the report, the

mission prescribed to end the military regime in East Pakistan. Between July and September 1971, operations by the Crack Platoon resulted in the death of 8 Pakistan Army commissioned officers from the rank of Second Lieutenant to Colonel and 31 soldiers and NCOs Crack Platoon carried out several successful and important operations. The power supply in Dhaka was devastated which caused severe problem for

Pakistan Army The Pakistan Army (, ), commonly known as the Pak Army (), is the Land warfare, land service branch and the largest component of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The president of Pakistan is the Commander-in-chief, supreme commander of the army. The ...

and the military administration in

. The Chinese restaurants in Dhaka had become almost prohibited for Pakistani army officers.

Recognition and awards

The role of Crack Platoon in the

was highly appreciated by the post war government of Bangladesh and the people. Six commandos including Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury, the leader of Crack Platoon and a former minister were awarded Bir Bikrom, third highest gallantry award in Bangladesh and two commandos were awarded Bir Protik, fourth highest gallantry award in Bangladesh.

Notable members of Crack Platoon

* Habibul Alam * Kazi Kamaluddin * Abdul Halim Chowdhury Jewel * Ali Ahmed Ziauddin * Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya * Golam Dastagir Gazi * Sadeque Hossain Khoka * Nasiruddin Yousuf Bachchu * Artist Shahabuddin Ahmed * Singer Azam Khan * Raisul Islam Asad * Ahmed Munier Bhashon * Fateh Ali Chowdhury * Abu Sayeed Khan * Anwar Rahman * Shahadat Chowdhury * Ahrar Ahmed * Shafi Imam Rumi * Magfar Ahmed Chowdhury (Azad) * Qamrul Huq Shawpon * Bodiul Alam Bodi * AFMA Harris * Mukhtar * Masud Sadik Chullu * Humayun Kabir Khan THE CRACK PLATOON, Of valour and love for motherland, New Age, 29 August 2021
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References

{{Reflist Mukti Bahini