Latif Bahini

Bangladeshi militia during the Bangladesh War of Independence

Latif Bahini

লতিফ বাহিনী
Also known as|

* Polashdanga Youth Camp
* Mirza Abdul Latif Bahini

Founder| Abdul Latif Mirza
Dates of operation| 1971
Country|  Bangladesh
Headquarters| Sirajganj District[a]
Active regions| Bangladesh
Notable attacks|

* Attack on Faridpur Police Station
* Attack on Tarash Police Station
* Attack on Sathia Police Station
* Attack on Gurudaspur Police Station
* Attack on Kachikata Razakar Camp
* Attack on Rayerganj Brahammagacha Pakistan Military Camp
* Attack on Sirajganj Boraitola Pakistan Military Camp

Size| 8,000 - 10,000
Allies|

* Mukti Bahini
* India

Opponents|  Pakistan Army

* Razakars

Battles and wars| Bangladesh Liberation War

Latif Bahini (Also known as Mirza Abdul Latif Bahini)[b][1][2][3][4][5] was a militia during the Bangladesh War of Independence. Abdul Latif Mirza was a member in the Bangladesh Forces. He planned to build a force in Vodroghat village under Kamarkhand Police Station in Sirajganj District, Rajshahi Division.[1][4]

## Formation

[edit]

Initially, Abdul Latif Mirza organised a team filled with youths, and named it 'Polashdanga Youth Camp'.[4] The force had only 7 rifles and 15 fighters. Later on, the group became significantly larger, with around 8,000 to 10,000 fighters in the militia. It later became known as the Latif Bahini. In addition to the branch of military training, the force later had political, intelligence and reconnaissance branches.[1]

## Military engagements

[edit]

Latif Bahini fought Pakistani troops and Razakar militias in various districts in North Bengal including Natore, Bogra, Rajshahi, Pabna and Sirajganj and attacked various Pakistani military camps and Razakar positions, This force fought in notable battles like, The Battle of Kashinathpur Bhab Bagan, The Battle of Ghatna, The Battle of Ullapar. One notable raid was on Tarash Police Station in Sirajganj. Numerous Pakistani troops and Razakars were killed in the raid, a Pakistani officer was captured and 13 troops were also captured, No casualty was reported on the Bengali side.[1] On 11 December 1971, 630 fighters fought with Pakistani troops and on 13 December 1971, Tarash was liberated, 150 Pakistani troops were killed in the battle and 9 surrendered, including an officer and 2 members of the Latif Bahini were wounded in the result of the battle.[4] Later on December 13, the national flag was hoisted in Tarash Upazila.[4]

## See also

[edit]

* Bangladesh Liberation War
* List of sectors in the Bangladesh Liberation War
* Mukti Bahini
* Gafur Bahini
* Mujib Bahini
* Baten Bahini
* Hemayet Bahini
* Kader Bahini

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d Hossain, Major General Md. Sarwar (26 March 2019). "The irregular forces of Bangladesh Liberation War". The Daily Star. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
2. ^ Anam, Mahfuz (29 March 2024). "The war that we need to know so much more about". The Daily Star. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
3. ^ Sheren, Syeda Momtaz (2012). "War of Liberation, The". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
4. ^ a b c d e "Tarash Free Day today". Bangladesh Post. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
5. ^ লতিফ বাহিনী. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 2 December 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2024.

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Initially, It was raised in Vodroghat Village, near Kamarkhand Police Station, In Sirajganj District
2. ^ Bengali: লতিফ বাহিনী, romanized: Latipha bāhinī