Pabna was freed two days after final victory

The memorial for martyrs of Liberation War on the premises of Pabna deputy commissioner's office. Photo: Star

The district was freed from the Pakistani occupation forces on this day in 1971, two days after the country became independent on December 16.

The freedom fighters on December 18 hoisted the national flag atop Pabna deputy commissioner's office.

The freedom fighters fought against the occupation forces till December 15. The defeated troops then took shelter in different areas.

“They also put up barricades so that freedom fighters cannot enter the district headquarters,” said freedom fighter Baby Islam, then commander of freedom fighters.

“The Pakistan occupation army remained holed up at Wapda offices in Pabna Sadar and Ishwardi upazilas on December 16. When the freedom fighters tried to enter the district headquarters on December 16, the Pak army barricaded the Pabna-Ishwardi highway,” he said.

The Pakistan army surrendered on December 18 to the joint forces and started leaving Pabna. Then freedom fighters from different areas entered the district town and hoisted the flag, said Baby Islam.

Gruesome mass killings took place at Sagarkandi, Demra, Gopalnagar, Hadal and Handial areas.

With the help of the local collaborators, the Pakistan occupation army killed at least 250 people in Sagarkandi and 400 others in Satabaria village of Sujanagar upazila under the district.

Also the Pakistan occupation army killed over two hundred people in Hadal village of Faridpur  upazila in the district.

'Durjoy Pabna', a liberation war memorial was later built on the premises of Pabna deputy commissioner office to pay tribute to the martyrs of the district.

Various programmes, including discussion and cultural function, have been chalked out in the district to mark the day, said organisers.