পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (সপ্তম খণ্ড).pdf/৪০

বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র : সপ্তম খণ্ড 'outdoor operations room'. The city wrapped in starlight, was in deep slumber. The night was as pleasant as a spring night in Dacca could be. The setting was perfect for anything but a bloody holocaust. Besides the armed forces, another class of people was active that night. They were the Awami League leaders and their private army of Bengali soldiers, policemen, ex-servicemen, students any party volunteers. They were in communication with Mujib, Colonel Osmani and other important Bengali officers. They were preparing for the toughest resistance. In Dacca, they erected innumerable road blocks to obstruct the march of troops to the city. The wireless set fitted in the jeep groaned for the first time at about 11-30 p.m. The local commander (Dacca) asked permission to advance the H-hour because the other side was hectically preparing for resistance. Everybody looked at his watch. The President was still half way between Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Karachi. General Tikka gave the decision. "Tell Bobby (Arbab) to hold on as long as he can.' At the given hour, Brigadier Arbab's brigade was to act as follows: 13 Frontier Force was to stay in Dacca cantonment as reserve and defend the cantonment, if necessary. 43 Light Anti-Aircrat (LAA) Regiment, deployed at the airport in an anti-aircraft role since the banning of overflights by India, was to look after the airport area. 22 Baluch, already in East Pakistan Rifles Lines at Pilkhana, was to disarm approximately 5000 E.P.R. personnel and seize their wireless exchange. 32 Punjab was to disarm 1,000 'highly motivated' policemen' a prime possible source and armed manpower for the Awami League, at Rajarbagh Police Lines. 18 Punjab was to fan out in the Nawabpur area and the old city where many Hindu houses were said to have been converted into armouries. Field Regiment was to control the Second Capital and the adjoining Bihari localities (Mohammadpur, Mirpur). A composite force consisting of one company each of 18 Pubjab 22 Baluch and 32 Pubjab, was to 'fluch' the University Campus particularly Iqbal Hall and Jagannath Hall which were reported to be the strong points of the Awami League rebels. A platoon of Special Group (Commandos) was to raid Mujib's house and capture him alive. A skeleton squadron of M-25 tanks was to make an appearance before first light, mainly as a show of force. They could fire for effect if required. These troops, in their respective areas, were to guard the key points, break resistance (if offered), and arrest the listed political leaders from their residences.