| Baten Bahini | |
|---|---|
| বাতেন বাহিনী | |
| Leader |
|
| Foundation | March 30, 1971 (1971-03-30) |
| Dates of operation | March 30, 1971 (1971-03-30)–December 16, 1971 (1971-12-16) |
| Dissolved | March 9, 1972 (1972-03-09) |
| Country | Bangladesh |
| Allegiance | Mukti Bahini |
| Motives | Support forBangladesh independence during theLiberation War |
| Headquarters | Lauhati,Delduar Upazila,Tangail |
| Active regions | Tangail,Manikganj,Pabna,Gazipur,Sirajganj District,Dhaka District |
| Notable attacks | Attacks on Singair, Daulatpur, Saturia, Ghior, Nagarpur, and Chauhali police stations |
| Status | Disbanded |
| Size | 21 companies, 63 platoons, 100 sections |
| Allies | Mukti Bahini |
| Opponents | Pakistan Armed Forces |
| Battles and wars | Bangladesh Liberation War |
Baten Bahini was an armed guerrilla force formed inTangail district in support of independence during theBangladesh Liberation War in 1971.[1] It was named after its leader,Khandaker Abdul Baten.[2][3] Throughout the war, it conducted a number of successful guerrilla campaigns inTangail,Manikganj,Pabna,Gazipur,Sirajganj and some parts ofDhaka District.[4] It was organized into 21 companies, 63 platoons, and 100 sections.[4] Abdul Baten led a number of guerrilla attacks.[5]
During theLiberation War,Abdul Baten was the Vice President of the Student Union of Government Saadat University College in Tangail.[6] On March 30, 1971, after a student ofSaadat University College, Jumrat Ali, was killed byPakistani forces in Achimtal ofSakhipur Upazila, Abdul Baten returned to his native areaNagarpur and formed the Baten Bahini (Baten Force) with a few acquaintances. In the beginning, he collected two guns and 165 rounds of ammunition. Later, he collected another 8–10 guns. Meanwhile, in Konra of Abdul Baten’s village Nagarpur, a 10-member resistance committee was formed under the leadership of Mir Shamsul Alam Shahzada, and they also joined the Baten Bahini.[4]
The recruitment center of the force was established at Lauhati inDelduar Upazila ofTangail, and the training centers were in Tangail district andIndia. At the beginning, Mir Shamsul Alam Shahzada served as the head of security and civilian affairs, Upendra Nath Sarker as the head of information and intelligence, Delwar Hossain Harij as the deputy chief (recruitment and Joy Bangla Company commander), M A Rashid as the deputy chief (quartermaster and Bangabandhu Company commander), and Khandaker Abdus Salam served as the recruitment and management officer. In addition, the force had 9 assistant security and civilian officers, 2 assistant recruitment officers, a medical team of 11 members, and 4 persons in charge of food management.[7]
The Baten Bahini started its combat on May 4, 1971, by attacking the Singair police station inManikganj district. Later, one after another, they attacked and took control of Daulatpur, Saturia, and Ghior police stations in Manikganj district, Nagarpur police station in Tangail, and Chauhali police station in Sirajganj. On July 18, 1971, Baten went to India for weapons and training purposes. During this time, A K M Azad Shahjahan served as the chief of the force, and Mir Shamsul Alam Shahzada was the head of security. From late July to December, the war operations were conducted under their leadership.[7]
On January 22, 1972, Abdul Baten returned to Bangladesh. After his return, the Baten Bahini surrendered their arms to theGovernment of Bangladesh—on January 25 at the Nagarpur Dak Bungalow, and on March 7 and 9 at Lauhati School field in Delduar. On February 4, Abdul Baten was given a reception.[4]
 | This article related to aparamilitary organization or suspected paramilitary organization is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
 | This article about theBangladesh Armed Forces is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
