Battle of Daruin

The Battle of Daruin was a significant battle during the Bangladesh Liberation War, involving the 4th East Bengal Regiment and the Pakistan Army.

Battle of Daruin
Part of Bangladesh Liberation War
Date April 16–18, 1971 (2 days) Location Daruin, Brahmanbaria, Pakistan (present-day Daruin, Bangladesh) Result Pakistani victory Daruin recaptured by Pakistan
Belligerents
Pakistan Army	Bangladesh Mukti Bahini
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Shafaat Jamil Mostafa Kamal †
Units involved
Pakistan Armed Forces  Pakistan Army Eastern Command	4th East Bengal Regiment 2nd Platoon, Company "Alpha"
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	40 killed

At the start of March 1971, the 4th Regiment was moved from Comilla Cantonment to Brahmanbaria. Following the incidents of March 25, the regiment successfully brought Brahmanbaria under control. Under the leadership of Major Shafaat Jamil, they revolted against the Pakistani officers and formed a defense camp in Brahmanbaria. They continued to fight against the Pakistan Army and eventually arrived at Akhaura, where the 4th Regiment set up their camp in Gangashaga and Talshahar.^[1]

To avoid unexpected attacks from the Pakistanis, the 2nd Platoon of Company "Alpha" was sent to Darwin village. Mostafa Kamal was one of the section commanders of the 2nd Platoon.^[2]

On April 16, 1971, the Pakistan Army began to approach the regiment's camp via the Comilla-Akhaura railway route. The regiment also repositioned at Daruin, settling into trenches near a pond. Mostafa Kamal took the rightmost position.

On April 17, the Pakistanis opened fire. Major Shafayat Jamil strengthened his force by sending the 11th Platoon of Company Delta to Daruin. At around 12 pm, the Pakistanis attacked from the west.^[3] Another part of the Pakistan Army attacked Mukti Bahini from behind. As a result, the regiment decided to retreat from Daruin. Mostafa Kamal took the responsibility of covering for his fellow fighters.^[4] Most of the fighters retreated to a safer position as Kamal relentlessly kept firing with his light machine gun. He kept on fighting until he ran out of bullets and was surrounded. He was bayoneted to death.^[4] He, along with 20 to 40 other Mukti Bahini soldiers, was killed in this battle.