Forgotten Hero of 1971 - Tajjamul Hussain Malik

[Vapnope]

This is the man who was praised by Indians and they established a commission to study his masterpiece Battle of Hilli .He was praised by his Indian battle opponent in his book Indian Sword penetrates East Pakistan as a singularly brave man.

Agha H Amin: We understand that you refused to surrender in East Pakistan. Please tell in detail what you felt about the whole issue?

Tajammul Hussain Malik: Hilli Bogra sector was the only sector where Indians used an Armoured Brigade. For, in December the terrain represented the plains of Punjab. As I said before in this sector the Indians used 4 Infantry Brigade, one Armoured Brigade, one Engineer Brigade, one Mukti Brigade and yet could not break through this sector to the end and when the war ended the fighting was still going on in the streets of Bogra.
The Battle of Hilli Bogra received the maximum publicity through the world media. I was mentally attuned to resist the Indians in the same manner as I had done on Wagha Sector in 1965 War. I could not conceive of surrender. On 15th and 16th December, when Bogra was surrounded from all sides, I was moving about in the battle area in my jeep, with the flag and stars uncovered, and announcing on the loud speaker, “We shall fight from the rooftops, the windows and in the streets but we shall not surrender.”
I was inspiring them with the Quranic Ayat that a Muslim soldier does not surrender on the battlefield. Anyone who turns his back will go to hell. I could see that almost everyone whom I addressed was prepared to die. They responded to my speech with slogans of Allah Ho Akbar. It was most thrilling scene. These words, which I have uttered, were later confirmed in the Indian Books published after the war. Some of the excerpts I would like to quote here. General Palit, in his book, “The Lightening Campaign” had said, “In Hilli Bogra sector the Pakistani troops fought for every inch of ground.” Dr Monkakar in his book “Pakistan cut to size” had said, “the Battle of Hilli was the toughest battle of Indo-Pak War”, General Aurora, GOC-in-C Indian Eastern Command, in his interview with the Illustrated Weekly of India, published in 1973 had said, “The battle of Bhaduria (which was fought within Hilli Bogra sector) was the bloodiest battle fought in East Pakistan”.
General Lachman Singh in his Book, “The Indian sword strikes in East Pakistan” described the battle in this sector in great detail. He was a brave general, who had the courage to praise his opponents. He admired my fighting capabilities and went to the extent of saying, “Most of the senior officers preferred to surrender as soon as a threat developed to their Headquarters or their lives. Brigadier Tajammal was the only exception in my sector. He showed fanatical will to fight even at the cost of his life. I was happy to take him prisoner. I was glad to learn that he was the first senior officer to be promoted by the Pakistanis out of those who had surrendered in Bangladesh.”
He almost wrote my ACR, wherein he said, “when in all other sectors, Pakistani troops were laying down arms, a group of officers and JCOs came to him and advised him to surrender. He refused to do so. He was no doubt a very brave and capable commander. He was in fact, prepared to die rather than surrender on the battlefield. His troops followed his example and resisted till the end.” In fact he said much more than what I have said. I have only given a brief gist of it. Imbued with such a spirit how could I possibly think of surrender. The examples of Muslim commanders in the history of Islam who had fought against overwhelming Christian armies were ringing in my ears. At that critical moment those examples became a source of strength for me to continue to fight till the end.

Agha H Amin: Any Pakistani field commander who impressed you in the 1971 War?

Tajammul Hussain Malik: To be frank, none, both in East and West Pakistan. I have the greatest regards and respect for some of the soldiers in the lower ranks who refused to surrender at the risk of their lives. The two examples I have quoted in my book, “The Story of My Struggle” that of Naik Sarwar Shaheed and Havildar Hukumdad who fought till the end and when their ammunition was exhausted they were called upon by the enemy to lay down arms but they refused to do so. Naik Sarwar Shaheed died on the last day of the Battle, when I had ordered my Brigade to break out to Naogong in small groups. The Indians had given him a ceremonial burial as a mark of respect for his bravery. Naik Humkumdad had become Shaheed on the 13th or 14th of December when about 80 men of his company had already become shaheed and his own company commander, Maj Sajid, been taken prisoner by the enemy. The Indian Major putting pistol on the chest of Maj Sajid ordered him to tell Hukumdad to stop firing. Complying with the orders of the Indian officer, Maj Sajid told Hukumdad to stop firing. In reply Hukumdad said, “Sahib, Apna ammunition mukai bathi ho, meray pass abhi doo magazine baki hein” (You have apparently exhausted your ammunition, I am still left with two magazines full of ammunition.) Brigadier Sadiq Salik in his book, “Witness to Surrender” has described this action in detail. I cannot think of any such example from amongst the senior officers, both in East and West Pakistan, who risked their life to such an extent. For, after the fall of Dacca, our Senior Commanders in West Pakistan had the option to continue the war had they so desired. In the past in all our operational planning for the defence of East Pakistan, we had been saying, “If Indians Capture Dacca we will capture Delhi and that the defence of East Pakistan lies in West Pakistan.” When the time came and East Pakistan was occupied by the Indian troops, Pakistan Army in West Pakistan could not capture even Amritsar or Jammu. In fact they very eagerly accepted the
Indian offer of ceasefire. At that critical moment, none of them had the courage to stand up and say, “No we will not accept ceasefire. We will fight till such time we capture a big chunk of Indian territory, at least, the size of East Pakistan” Had they done so there would have been no need for our 96,000 prisoners of war to remain in Indian camps for about 2 1/2 years.

Agha H Amin: How was the PW experience in India?

Tajammul Hussain Malik: For an honourable soldier, becoming a prisoner of war is most humiliating. After the war when we were being gathered in a camp at Bogra, I had the opportunity to address my officers. I said to them, “Sometimes a tiger can also be trapped in a cage. Now that, unfortunately, you have become prisoners of war you should behave like a tiger in the cage.”

Source:Maj Gen. Tajammul Hussain Malik by Agha H Amin

 

[Vapnope]

@Signalian @HRK @Sine Nomine @Dazzler @Socra @Genghis khan1 @fatman17 @BHarwana @AgNoStiC MuSliM @MastanKhan @Irfan Baloch @The Eagle @Path-Finder @Trailer23 @Trango Towers @Zibago

 

[SIPRA]

Not only of 1971, but also of 1965. He was the commander (Lieutenant Colonel) of the battalion/unit, which faced and repulsed the Indian attack, on Lahore, on Wagah Sector, along GT Road, on the early morning of September, 6, 1965.

 

[Trango Towers]

There were many brave sons of Pakistan who were let down by two traitors. Bhutto in the west and Mujeeb in the east. They were both responsible for this to further their political ambitions. Look how the both died. One hung by the army and the other shot by the army. But bhuttos daughter came to power and she died. But it shows that unless these people children grandchildren etc are taken out like a weed they will never leave you alone

 

[khail007]

Not only of 1971, but also of 1965. He was the commander (Lieutenant Colonel) of the battalion/unit, which faced and repulsed the Indian attack, on Lahore, on Wagah Sector, along GT Road, on the early morning of September, 6, 1965.

Thanks to remind us a brilliant piece of history. The 1965 war monument at Wagah built at the same place where Tajamal stops a cart full of fodder from in coming villager, which were used by IA as human shield, Tajamal loosen the oxen and position one RR mounted on jeep behind the cart, that successfully destroyed advancing Indian tanks. He abled to repel the Indian armour thrust and then till ceasefire Indians were never able to cross that line and kept only dreaming the occupation of Lahore.

 

[Rusty]

...

It is undeniable that the vast majority of the violence was Bengali on Bengali. With the Razakars and Mukti going at at.

Your toxic nationalism can't see that and your week constitution wont allow you not blame the Pak army for every problem in your life.

This man is our hero, just like that leader, which your own people killed, is your hero.

 

[SIPRA]

Thanks to remind us a brilliant piece of history. The 1965 war monument at Wagah built at the same place where Tajamal stops a cart full of fodder from in coming villager, which were used by IA as human shield, Tajamal loosen the oxen and position one RR mounted on jeep behind the cart, that successfully destroyed advancing Indian tanks. He abled to repel the Indian armour thrust and then till ceasefire Indians were never able to cross that line and kept only dreaming the occupation of Lahore.

Very true. This is what he has recorded in his biographical book.

 

[Vapnope]

I respect his bravery as he claims he took strength from the examples of past Muslim commanders. Did he write in his book how many houses he burnt down; how many civilians he lined up, shot and threw in to the river and how many he and his troops raped; and which famous Muslim commander's example he followed in doing that? Khalid (RA), Abu Ubaidah (RA), Amr Ibnul Aas (RA), Salahuddin (RH) didn't do it as far as I know.

I understand your point of view however here is what he has to say about all of this. I hope it would clear a lot,

//
Agha H Amin: You have stated in your book that atrocities were committed by many units / individuals in East Pakistan. You have also stated that you tried to curb these. What was the extent / magnitude of the alleged atrocities vis-a-vis alleged atrocities committed by the Mukti Bahini?

Tajammul Hussain Malik: I took over the command of 205 Brigade on 17th of November 1971 and about 4 days later the Indians had started the attack on our positions. During the period of my command, on one occasion, it was reported to me that one of my units 8 Baluch had captured about 8 civilians. The brigade headquarter was informed for their disposal. I was told that as a routine all such persons who were captured were to be shot without any investigation. I passed orders that in future no such shooting would take place unless I had seen them myself. When I visited the unit, they produced them before me. As I was meeting them, one of
them fainted. The CO of that unit said, he is malingering. On further inquiry I found out that they were not in fact ‘muktis’ but were the local people working in the fields, grazing cattle. I ordered that they be released. I learnt through many other officers that during the earlier operations against the Mukti Bahinis thousands of innocent people were killed. In one of my defensive position at Santahar, large number of people were massacred. General Tikka Khan & Lieutenant General Jahanzeb Arbab had earned their reputation of being Butchers of East Pakistan. So were many other Brigadiers and Generals. Mukti Bahinis too, may also have done so in retaliation but it was very negligible as compared to the atrocities committed by the West Pakistani troops against the East Pakistanis. Despite the fact what we had done to them, I personally found the local people very sympathetic towards us. In fact after the war, when I was moving from Bogra to Naogaon to link up with 13 FF of my brigade, I and a team of another officer with 17 other ranks were captured by Mukti Bahinis and the locals who not only saved our life but put bandages on the wounds I had sustained during the process of my capture.//

 

[Bengal71]

It is undeniable that the vast majority of the violence was Bengali on Bengali. With the Razakars and Mukti going at at.

Your toxic nationalism can't see that and your week constitution wont allow you not blame the Pak army for every problem in your life.

This man is our hero, just like that leader, which your own people killed, is your hero.

The historians and academics of the world don't agree with your 'undeniable' theory. You are lying.

I understand your point of view however here is what he has to say about all of this. I hope it would clear a lot,

//
Agha H Amin: You have stated in your book that atrocities were committed by many units / individuals in East Pakistan. You have also stated that you tried to curb these. What was the extent / magnitude of the alleged atrocities vis-a-vis alleged atrocities committed by the Mukti Bahini?

Tajammul Hussain Malik: I took over the command of 205 Brigade on 17th of November 1971 and about 4 days later the Indians had started the attack on our positions. During the period of my command, on one occasion, it was reported to me that one of my units 8 Baluch had captured about 8 civilians. The brigade headquarter was informed for their disposal. I was told that as a routine all such persons who were captured were to be shot without any investigation. I passed orders that in future no such shooting would take place unless I had seen them myself. When I visited the unit, they produced them before me. As I was meeting them, one of
them fainted. The CO of that unit said, he is malingering. On further inquiry I found out that they were not in fact ‘muktis’ but were the local people working in the fields, grazing cattle. I ordered that they be released. I learnt through many other officers that during the earlier operations against the Mukti Bahinis thousands of innocent people were killed. In one of my defensive position at Santahar, large number of people were massacred. General Tikka Khan & Lieutenant General Jahanzeb Arbab had earned their reputation of being Butchers of East Pakistan. So were many other Brigadiers and Generals. Mukti Bahinis too, may also have done so in retaliation but it was very negligible as compared to the atrocities committed by the West Pakistani troops against the East Pakistanis. Despite the fact what we had done to them, I personally found the local people very sympathetic towards us. In fact after the war, when I was moving from Bogra to Naogaon to link up with 13 FF of my brigade, I and a team of another officer with 17 other ranks were captured by Mukti Bahinis and the locals who not only saved our life but put bandages on the wounds I had sustained during the process of my capture.//

Interesting.

Fighting till death and not surrendering alone is not the trait of a true mujahid for many kafir also fight till death (gurkha, sikhs, rajputs etc are good examples). Not fleeing from the battlefield is only one of the traits of a Muslims mujahid. The mujahideen are the most beloved of Allah (SWT) and their truest strength is the fear of Allah and their piety (piety in everything). Such are rare and far in between. However, I am aware of some Pakistani officers and troops who did not indulge in such unislamic acts and fought as respectable Muslims. Many of them were in total disagreement of the acts of Yahya and the likes of depriving the Bengali people of their rights and the unfair crackdown. If what this officer says in his book is true, he is probably one of them. A rare gem in the Pak army indeed.

 

[KAI KAI Baloch]

This is the man who was praised by Indians and they established a commission to study his masterpiece Battle of Hilli .He was praised by his Indian battle opponent in his book Indian Sword penetrates East Pakistan as a singularly brave man.

View attachment 628643

Agha H Amin: We understand that you refused to surrender in East Pakistan. Please tell in detail what you felt about the whole issue?

Tajammul Hussain Malik: Hilli Bogra sector was the only sector where Indians used an Armoured Brigade. For, in December the terrain represented the plains of Punjab. As I said before in this sector the Indians used 4 Infantry Brigade, one Armoured Brigade, one Engineer Brigade, one Mukti Brigade and yet could not break through this sector to the end and when the war ended the fighting was still going on in the streets of Bogra.
The Battle of Hilli Bogra received the maximum publicity through the world media. I was mentally attuned to resist the Indians in the same manner as I had done on Wagha Sector in 1965 War. I could not conceive of surrender. On 15th and 16th December, when Bogra was surrounded from all sides, I was moving about in the battle area in my jeep, with the flag and stars uncovered, and announcing on the loud speaker, “We shall fight from the rooftops, the windows and in the streets but we shall not surrender.”
I was inspiring them with the Quranic Ayat that a Muslim soldier does not surrender on the battlefield. Anyone who turns his back will go to hell. I could see that almost everyone whom I addressed was prepared to die. They responded to my speech with slogans of Allah Ho Akbar. It was most thrilling scene. These words, which I have uttered, were later confirmed in the Indian Books published after the war. Some of the excerpts I would like to quote here. General Palit, in his book, “The Lightening Campaign” had said, “In Hilli Bogra sector the Pakistani troops fought for every inch of ground.” Dr Monkakar in his book “Pakistan cut to size” had said, “the Battle of Hilli was the toughest battle of Indo-Pak War”, General Aurora, GOC-in-C Indian Eastern Command, in his interview with the Illustrated Weekly of India, published in 1973 had said, “The battle of Bhaduria (which was fought within Hilli Bogra sector) was the bloodiest battle fought in East Pakistan”.
General Lachman Singh in his Book, “The Indian sword strikes in East Pakistan” described the battle in this sector in great detail. He was a brave general, who had the courage to praise his opponents. He admired my fighting capabilities and went to the extent of saying, “Most of the senior officers preferred to surrender as soon as a threat developed to their Headquarters or their lives. Brigadier Tajammal was the only exception in my sector. He showed fanatical will to fight even at the cost of his life. I was happy to take him prisoner. I was glad to learn that he was the first senior officer to be promoted by the Pakistanis out of those who had surrendered in Bangladesh.”
He almost wrote my ACR, wherein he said, “when in all other sectors, Pakistani troops were laying down arms, a group of officers and JCOs came to him and advised him to surrender. He refused to do so. He was no doubt a very brave and capable commander. He was in fact, prepared to die rather than surrender on the battlefield. His troops followed his example and resisted till the end.” In fact he said much more than what I have said. I have only given a brief gist of it. Imbued with such a spirit how could I possibly think of surrender. The examples of Muslim commanders in the history of Islam who had fought against overwhelming Christian armies were ringing in my ears. At that critical moment those examples became a source of strength for me to continue to fight till the end.

Agha H Amin: Any Pakistani field commander who impressed you in the 1971 War?

Tajammul Hussain Malik: To be frank, none, both in East and West Pakistan. I have the greatest regards and respect for some of the soldiers in the lower ranks who refused to surrender at the risk of their lives. The two examples I have quoted in my book, “The Story of My Struggle” that of Naik Sarwar Shaheed and Havildar Hukumdad who fought till the end and when their ammunition was exhausted they were called upon by the enemy to lay down arms but they refused to do so. Naik Sarwar Shaheed died on the last day of the Battle, when I had ordered my Brigade to break out to Naogong in small groups. The Indians had given him a ceremonial burial as a mark of respect for his bravery. Naik Humkumdad had become Shaheed on the 13th or 14th of December when about 80 men of his company had already become shaheed and his own company commander, Maj Sajid, been taken prisoner by the enemy. The Indian Major putting pistol on the chest of Maj Sajid ordered him to tell Hukumdad to stop firing. Complying with the orders of the Indian officer, Maj Sajid told Hukumdad to stop firing. In reply Hukumdad said, “Sahib, Apna ammunition mukai bathi ho, meray pass abhi doo magazine baki hein” (You have apparently exhausted your ammunition, I am still left with two magazines full of ammunition.) Brigadier Sadiq Salik in his book, “Witness to Surrender” has described this action in detail. I cannot think of any such example from amongst the senior officers, both in East and West Pakistan, who risked their life to such an extent. For, after the fall of Dacca, our Senior Commanders in West Pakistan had the option to continue the war had they so desired. In the past in all our operational planning for the defence of East Pakistan, we had been saying, “If Indians Capture Dacca we will capture Delhi and that the defence of East Pakistan lies in West Pakistan.” When the time came and East Pakistan was occupied by the Indian troops, Pakistan Army in West Pakistan could not capture even Amritsar or Jammu. In fact they very eagerly accepted the
Indian offer of ceasefire. At that critical moment, none of them had the courage to stand up and say, “No we will not accept ceasefire. We will fight till such time we capture a big chunk of Indian territory, at least, the size of East Pakistan” Had they done so there would have been no need for our 96,000 prisoners of war to remain in Indian camps for about 2 1/2 years.

Agha H Amin: How was the PW experience in India?

Tajammul Hussain Malik: For an honourable soldier, becoming a prisoner of war is most humiliating. After the war when we were being gathered in a camp at Bogra, I had the opportunity to address my officers. I said to them, “Sometimes a tiger can also be trapped in a cage. Now that, unfortunately, you have become prisoners of war you should behave like a tiger in the cage.”

Source:Maj Gen. Tajammul Hussain Malik by Agha H Amin

Cavaliar group.is owned by the son of maj gen tajammal. Maj r waseem pasha..
My grand father fought alongside him in 65 and 71...

 

[maverick1977]

The historians and academics of the world don't agree with your 'undeniable' theory. You are lying.



Interesting.

Fighting till death and not surrendering alone is not the trait of a true mujahid for many kafir also fight till death (gurkha, sikhs, rajputs etc are good examples). Not fleeing from the battlefield is only one of the traits of a Muslims mujahid. The mujahideen are the most beloved of Allah (SWT) and their truest strength is the fear of Allah and their piety (piety in everything). Such are rare and far in between. However, I am aware of some Pakistani officers and troops who did not indulge in such unislamic acts and fought as respectable Muslims. Many of them were in total disagreement of the acts of Yahya and the likes of depriving the Bengali people of their rights and the unfair crackdown. If what this officer says in his book is true, he is probably one of them. A rare gem in the Pak army indeed.

legitimizing your existance of a nation based on fasle lies fed to you by a kafir nation and then using garb if islam to shield yourself, to act as a truthful person.. shame on you you peice of sheat

 

[Rusty]

The historians and academics of the world don't agree with your 'undeniable' theory. You are lying.



Interesting.

Fighting till death and not surrendering alone is not the trait of a true mujahid for many kafir also fight till death (gurkha, sikhs, rajputs etc are good examples). Not fleeing from the battlefield is only one of the traits of a Muslims mujahid. The mujahideen are the most beloved of Allah (SWT) and their truest strength is the fear of Allah and their piety (piety in everything). Such are rare and far in between. However, I am aware of some Pakistani officers and troops who did not indulge in such unislamic acts and fought as respectable Muslims. Many of them were in total disagreement of the acts of Yahya and the likes of depriving the Bengali people of their rights and the unfair crackdown. If what this officer says in his book is true, he is probably one of them. A rare gem in the Pak army indeed.

which historians? the ones who say 3 million dead? or the ones who killed your dear leader?

Stop being such a toxic nationalist.

We legitimized our nationhood by fighting and defeating you in the largest surrender after WW2. Your munfiq army frequently uses the garb of Islam to pretend to be heroes although they are criminals. Stop lying you peace of sh1t.

I promised myself and the sensible Bengalis here that I would not stoop to your gutter level but you are making it really hard.

I hope the sensible Benglis can put a leash on you.

 

[Cuirassier]

The historians and academics of the world don't agree with your 'undeniable' theory. You are lying.



Interesting.

Fighting till death and not surrendering alone is not the trait of a true mujahid for many kafir also fight till death (gurkha, sikhs, rajputs etc are good examples). Not fleeing from the battlefield is only one of the traits of a Muslims mujahid. The mujahideen are the most beloved of Allah (SWT) and their truest strength is the fear of Allah and their piety (piety in everything). Such are rare and far in between. However, I am aware of some Pakistani officers and troops who did not indulge in such unislamic acts and fought as respectable Muslims. Many of them were in total disagreement of the acts of Yahya and the likes of depriving the Bengali people of their rights and the unfair crackdown. If what this officer says in his book is true, he is probably one of them. A rare gem in the Pak army indeed.

All is fair in love & war. The quicker you realise it the better. The Ottomans (Caliphate of Muslim World since 1510s) did worse with the Armenians. The Pak Mil was there to fight against what it perceived was a threat to the federation - the argument of imbalanced treatment of Bengalis before the outbreak of rebellion is another thing, related to policies of the state. You fought for what you thought was right & vice versa.

 

[Bengal71]

All is fair in love & war. The quicker you realise it the better. The Ottomans (Caliphate of Muslim World since 1510s) did worse with the Armenians. The Pak Mil was there to fight against what it perceived was a threat to the federation - the argument of imbalanced treatment of Bengalis before the outbreak of rebellion is another thing, related to policies of the state. You fought for what you thought was right & vice versa.

Really? All was not fair in the books of the likes of Khalid and Salahuddin of whom your military people pretend to draw lessons from.

Either believe in the "All is fair in love and war" and stop pretending to take examples from Islamic heroes OR just be Islamic and don't say "All is fair in love and war". You can't have your cake and eat it.

 

[waz]

If I see any more abusive posts on here I shall start to issue bans.