While Pakistan Army with its collaborators,Razakars andMujahid Bahini was focused on stoppingMukti Bahini-led resistance, EPCAF was given the duty to establish internal security and to guard strongholds of Pakistani forces.[18][19][2][20] EPCAF was raised in April 1971,[21] EPCAF effectively replaced East Pakistan Rifles due to decisions made byA. A. K. Niazi and Major Gen. Jamshed Khan became the Director General (DG) of EPCAF under his order.[22] East Pakistan Civil Armed Force particularly evolved from theEast Pakistan Rifles,[10][11] East Pakistan Civil Armed Force was composed of Bihari Muslims, non-Bengalis of East Pakistan,[23][24][25][26][27][28] retired personnel, pro-Pakistan Bengalis[15] and West Pakistani personnel.[23] Initially, EPCAF had about 15 thousand to 18 thousand troops,[2][3] On May 1971, the amount of total personnel grew to 25,000,[4] EPCAF was divided into at least 17 wings.[29]
On 1 September 1971, East Pakistan Civil Armed Force launched raids on Basti Nasirabad, three miles east ofDacca, and killed 9 Indian agents linked to theIndian Armed Forces and captured one after a clash between EPCAF and Indian forces, at least 9rifles, 3 stenguns, 5shotguns, 39 grenades, several hundred cartridges and 43 mines and high amounts ofbombs and explosives were captured.[30]
On 2 September 1971, pro-independence Bengali militants attackedGazaria Thana targeting nearby EPCAF andRazakar positions which resulted in the death of 3 EPCAF troops, 2 Razakars and capture of 11 Razakars and also capture of 15 rifles and 350 rounds of ammunition.[31]
On 12 September 1971, East Pakistan Civil Armed Force andEast Pakistan Police launched a raid inPurana Paltan,Dacca and captured 4 rifles, 3 stenguns, 12 grenades and ammunition and clashed with Indian troops inNarayanganj,Dacca, resulting in 1 EPCAF troop being injured and 13 Indian troops being killed in a joint operation.[32]
On 9 December 1971, Indian forces launched an attack onAshuganj and attacked EPCAF troops.[34]
On 13 December 1971, Indian troops clashed with Pakistani forces and EPCAF inSylhet, at least 19 EPCAF troops were killed and 10 were captured in theBattle of Sylhet.[35]
After Pakistani forces were defeated by theMukti Bahini andIndian Army and surrendered on 16 December 1971 and theBangladesh War of Independence came to an end, Families of members and leaders of East Pakistan Civil Armed Force were promised rewards and benefits by Pakistani authorities.[38]
Despite being a paramilitary force which operated in East Pakistan under the jurisdiction of the Pakistan Army, unlike theRazakars andMujahid Bahini, EPCAF was not involved in war crimes or theBangladesh genocide and was more focused on repelling Mukti Bahini offensives and guarding Pakistani strongholds and EPCAF was dismantled after December 1971.[18]
Pakistan Army
Mukti Bahini
Indian Armed Forces