In Memory of a Fearless Soldier of ’71: Colonel Shafaat Jamil, Bir Bikrom

“The Liberation War was not merely a conflict—

It was a struggle for existence,

A pledge to risk one’s life for freedom.”

In the history of Bangladesh’s Great Liberation War, there are certain individuals whose life stories make us marvel at the sheer courage, patriotism, and sense of duty required to etch a name into the course of history.

Colonel Shafaat Jamil, Bir Bikrom, was one such fearless soldier.

Born on 1 March 1940, Shafaat Jamil was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the East Bengal Regiment of the Pakistan Army in 1964. From the very beginning of his career, he was known as an accomplished, brave, and professional military officer.

In 1971, he was serving with the 4th East Bengal Regiment, stationed at Comilla Cantonment.

The most critical chapter of his life in the history of the Liberation War began during the turbulent days of March.

Under the pretext of a potential Indian attack, the Pakistani military authorities dispatched two companies of the 4th East Bengal Regiment to Brahmanbaria. One of these companies was under the command of Shafaat Jamil.

However, history was preparing to write a different narrative.

When the Pakistani forces launched a crack down and genocide against unarmed Bengalis on the black night of 25 March, it became clear to Bengali soldiers as well—this war was no longer an internal military dispute; it was a battle for the very survival of the Bengali nation.

Upon receiving news of the Pakistani assault on 26 March, Shafaat Jamil revolted against the Pakistan Army along with the Bengali soldiers under his command and joined the War of Liberation.

From that very moment, he was no longer an officer of the Pakistan Army—

He had become a freedom fighter for Bangladesh.

On the Battlefield

During the initial phase of resistance, he participated in operations against Pakistani forces in Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria, Akhaura, and Gangasagar.

Later, he moved to Motinagar in Tripura, India, where he was appointed Commanding Officer of the 3rd East Bengal Regiment.

Throughout various stages of the Liberation War, under his leadership, the 3rd East Bengal Regiment engaged Pakistani forces in key sectors including Dewan-ganj and Chhatak.

He was a commander who did not merely direct operations from maps—he led from the front lines whenever necessary.

The Battle of Chhatak

On 11 October 1971, under his command, the 3rd East Bengal Regiment participated in the Chhatak operation in Sylhet.

Although the Chhatak operation did not achieve its intended ultimate success, Pakistani forces suffered heavy casualties during the engagement.

Yet, the Liberation War was far from over.

Harder trials lay ahead.

The Chhotokhel Operation: Leadership of a Hero

It was November 1971.

The Radhanagar and Chhotokhel areas in Sylhet were fortified Pakistani strongholds. An earlier attack by Allied Gurkha troops had failed to yield the desired result, leaving the situation precarious.

At this critical juncture, the task of liberating Chhotokhel was entrusted to Major Shafaat Jamil, Commanding Officer of the 3rd East Bengal Regiment.

A battalion commander rarely leads a direct frontal assault. But Shafaat Jamil was cast in a different mould.

He decided:

The battle would be led from the front, and he would stand side by side with his fighters.

In the dead of night on 27 November, approximately 150 freedom fighters advanced through paddy fields toward the Pakistani positions.

At the very front was Major Shafaat Jamil, accompanied by Company Commander S. I. Nurunnabi Khan.

It was a pitch-black night. Enemies were positioned all around, and death loomed at every step.

Yet they pressed on.

Upon reaching close to the enemy bunkers, the freedom fighters launched a two-pronged assault. Fierce gunfire erupted, escalating into close-quarters and hand-to-hand combat inside several bunkers.

However, the Pakistani forces lacked the power to halt the freedom fighters that day.

Within approximately 20 minutes of intense fighting, Chhotokhel came under the complete control of the freedom fighters. Weapons and ammunition were captured from enemy bunkers as the Pakistani troops abandoned their positions and fled.

Yet even in that moment of victory, the danger had not passed.

As the first light of dawn broke, the freedom fighters were busy consolidating their captured positions. Shafaat Jamil was personally supervising the situation.

Suddenly—

An enemy bullet struck his right hip.

He collapsed to the ground.

Despite being gravely wounded, his morale remained unbroken. His comrades swiftly evacuated him to a field hospital.

A commander who had personally led his soldiers from the front to snatch victory from the enemy had paid for that triumph with his own blood.

Post-Independence

In recognition of his extraordinary bravery and leadership during the War of Liberation, the Government of independent Bangladesh conferred upon him the gallantry award of ‘Bir Bikrom’.

Following independence, he continued his service in the Bangladesh Army. Promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel in 1974, he took command of the 46th Infantry Brigade.

Later, his name became linked with a turbulent and bloody chapter in Bangladesh’s political history.

During the military coup of 3 November 1975, he played a central role alongside Khaled Mosharraf. Following the counter-coup of 7 November, Khaled Mosharraf was killed, and Shafaat Jamil was arrested.

His long military career came to an end on 26 March 1980, when he retired from the Bangladesh Army.

The Final Chapter

That fearless soldier of the Liberation War, who had once risked his life for the freedom of Bengalis, passed away quietly in the end.

On 11 August 2012, Colonel Shafaat Jamil, Bir Bikrom, breathed his last.

Remembering him on his death anniversary brings back memories of those turbulent days of 1971—

When uncertainty reigned supreme,

When death was a constant companion,

When the dream of independence burned within every heart,

And arms were scarce—

Yet a few brave souls declared:

“This country is ours.

This soil is ours.

We shall return only after liberating this land.”

Shafaat Jamil was a valiant representative of that generation.

His life teaches us that patriotism is not merely an emotion; patriotism is sometimes about surrendering one’s life for the freedom of one’s country.

His contribution to the history of Bangladesh’s independence will always be remembered with the deepest respect.

Our profound respect and humble salutations to the fearless freedom fighter, valiant military commander, and Bir Bikrom, Colonel Shafaat Jamil.

Colonel Shafaat Jamil, Bir Bikrom

Born: 1 March 1940

Died: 11 August 2012

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