Role in Bangladesh Liberation War
Col. Osmani was present at the house of Sheikh Mujib on 25 March 1971, when Bengali officers informed Awami League leaders of the departure of Yahya Khan and army movement. After failing to persuade Sheikh Mujib to declare independence, amidst the rising chaos run by the Pakistani establishment, and relocate to a secure place, Osmani himself relocated to Sylhet during March 28–29, shaved off his famous mustache (he was often called the man attached to a mustache) then made for the Indian border and reached the area under 2nd EBR control in Sylhet on April 4, 1971. A conference between senior Bengali officers and BSF representatives were held at Teliapara on the same day. On April 10, Bengali Government in Exile at Agartola appointed Col. Osmani Commander of Bangladesh Forces. Osmani appointed 4 sector commanders: Maj. Ziaur Rahman (Chittagong area), Maj. Khaled Musharraf (Comilla Area), Maj. C.R. Dutta (Sylhet Region) and Maj. Abu Osman Chowdhury (Kushtia-Jessore). The following day 3 more sector commanders were chosen: Maj. Nazmul Huq (Rajshahi-Pabna), Captain Nawajish (Rangpur-Dinajpur) and Captain Jalil (Barisal). Pakistan Army appointed Lt. Gen. A.A.K Niazi GOC East Pakistan on the same day. With the formation of Bangladesh government on 17 April 1971, retired Colonel Osmani was reinstated to active duty under the authority of Bangladesh government and appointed as Commander-in-Chief of all Bangladesh Forces. He was later promoted to the rank of full General during the 11–17 July Bangladesh Sector Commanders Conference 1971.
Read more about this topic: M. A. G. Osmani
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