Battle of Dhalai Outpost

The Battle of Dhalai Outpost was a battle during the Bangladesh Liberation War that occurred on 28 October 1971. The battle took place at the Dhalai Border Outpost, located near Srimangal, Sylhet, in present-day Bangladesh.

Battle of Dhalai Outpost
Part of Bangladesh Liberation War
Date October 28, 1971 Location Dhalai Border Outpost, Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh) Result Pakistani victory
Belligerents
Pakistan Army	Bangladesh Mukti Bahini
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Hamidur Rahman  †
Units involved
Eastern Command	1st East Bengal Regiment
Strength
Unknown	125
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Heavy

Background

The Pakistani Army had done a significant amount of preparation on the post, which included the main Dhalai Border Outpost, along with a tea factory and officers' bungalows extending approximately 750 meters. There were also other defended posts at Twin Hut, Red Hut, and Coolie lines extending approximately 950 to 1100 meters. These posts had concrete bunkers with wire and punjees laid all around. The bunkers were strong enough to withstand medium artillery shells.

The Battle

On the Bangladeshi side, the 1st East Bengal Regiment (EBR) launched an assault on the fortified Pakistani positions. The East Bengal Regiment, numbering around 125 soldiers, faced strong resistance from the Pakistani defenders. Despite being significantly outgunned, the EBR troops managed to get close to the Pakistani positions. One of the key moments in the battle was the courageous act of Hamidur Rahman, who took the responsibility of neutralizing a Pakistani machine gun post. Rahman crawled through the hilly canals and, despite being shot by a Pakistani soldier, managed to jump into the enemy machine gun post and engage in hand-to-hand combat with the two soldiers guarding the weapon. Rahman successfully disabled the machine gun, which allowed the EBR to advance and capture the first line of Pakistani defenses.

Despite the success in neutralizing the machine gun post, Rahman was mortally wounded and died in the ensuing combat. His body was later found by members of the EBR, and he was buried in Tripura

Honours

Hamidur Rahman was awarded the Bir Sreshtho, Bangladesh's highest award for valor, in recognition of his actions during the battle.