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JESSORE, Dec 5, 2025 (BSS) - Tomorrow, December 6 is the Jessore Liberation Day. On this day in 1971, Jessore became the first district of the country to be freed from Pakistani occupation forces. 

Facing fierce resistance from the heroic freedom fighters and the allied forces, the Pakistani soldiers were forced to flee the Jessore cantonment. The blood-soaked red and deep green flag of victorious Bangladesh flew in the sky of Jessore on this day.

To observe the day with due solemnity, the district administration has undertaken various programmes. The programmes included - the national flag will be hoisted at 10am and the national anthem will be performed at the Jessore Town Hall ground. At 10:15 am, balloons, festoons and pigeons of peace will be released from the ground and at 10:30 am, a colourful rally will be brought out from the same venue. The rally will parade through important roads of the town and return to the starting point.

Background of the Day-on December 3, 4 and 5 in 1971, heavy battles took place between the Pakistani occupation forces and the freedom fighters at various locations in the Jessore region. At the same time, the allied forces, moving from border areas, launched attacks on the Pakistani troops and their installations in and around Jessore.

Crushed by the continuous and intensive attacks, the Pakistani soldiers began fleeing from the Jessore cantonment towards Khulna from December 5. On 6 December 6, the Jessore cantonment became completely free of the Pakistani invaders. Freedom fighters and allied forces entered the town. Waves of freedom fighters and civilians poured into the streets in joyous celebration. Small victory processions were brought out in the town and its adjoining areas.

Earlier, on March 3 in 1971, when a pro-independence procession was held in Jessore, Pakistani forces opened fire, killing Charubala Karmakar. On March 26, the Pakistani soldiers picked up the then Member of Parliament Mashiur Rahman from his residence, took him to the Jessore cantonment and brutally killed him. 

On March 29, the Pakistani forces left the town and entered into the cantonment. On March 30, the Bengali soldiers in the Jessore cantonment revolted. On March 30 and 31, the freedom fighters, with support from the people, attacked Jessore Central Jail and freed all political prisoners.

The pace of the Liberation War changed significantly from July onwards. Well-trained freedom fighters took positions in and around Jessore town and launched heavy attacks on Pakistani positions.

Initially, Colonel Abu Osman Chowdhury was the Commander of Sector 8 in Jessore. Later, Major Manzur was appointed as the Commander. On September 5, Bir Sreshtho Noor Mohammad Sheikh was martyred in the Kashipur–Boyra area on the Rishikesh border in Sharsha upazila during a battle with Pakistani forces.

From November 20, the freedom fighters and allied forces jointly launched a final operation to capture the Jessore cantonment. As a result, the strong Pakistani base at Chaugachha collapsed. Fierce battles took place at Jagannathpur and Singhajhuli villages under Chowgacha upazila. In those battles, aircraft, tanks and artillery were used. At one stage, when ammunition ran out, hand-to-hand combat occurred. After losing these battles, the morale of the Pakistani soldiers broke down completely.

After liberating Chaugachha, the freedom fighters and allied forces encircled the Jessore cantonment from the southwest side. On December 5, fierce fighting took place between the two sides at Manoharpur village near the cantonment. At one stage, out of ammunition, the Pakistani soldiers retreated inside the cantonment. Unable to hold out there as well, they abandoned the cantonment and fled toward Khulna.