Thread by @varendrapill

Thread on General M.A.G Osmani – Supreme Commander of the Bangladesh Armed Forces – ‘Bangabir’

Born in 1918 in Osmaninagar, he hailed from an aristocratic lineage who traced their descent to Shah Jalal’s conquest of Sylhet. He would attend Aligarh University in 1930. It was there that he caught the attention UOTC, and was recommended to enlist by his instructors.

Osmani joined the IMA in 1940. He was selected out of a course of 300, where 30 were Indian, and he the sole Bengali. Commissioned in the royal army in Oct 1940, Captain by Feb 1941, and Major by Feb 1942, the youngest ever Major in the British Indian Army.

Osmani continued to impress even after this achievement, playing an active role in the Burma campaign, leading a MT Battalion at only the age of 23. He would continue to serve the British Indian Army until 1947, stationed at GHQ. He passed the Indian Civil Service exam in 1947.

Despite being offered a role in the new India by Nehru, Osmani opted to join Pakistan. He was granted his final promotion from the British Indian Army to Lt. Col, on the day after independence. Unfortunately, despite the high note his career began, the tone would quickly change.

Osmani was posted as SIC of the 14th Punjab Regiment, placing him close to later President Ayub Khan. In 1951, Ayub implicated multiple officers in ‘the Rawalpindi Conspiracy’, including Gen. Ishfakul Majid. Osmani confronted Khan about this, putting his career on the line.

Osmani diverted his energy elsewhere. Later in 1951, Osmani was posted as CO of the 1st East Bengal Regiment, the first infantry regiment to filled solely by ethnic Bengalis. He dedicated his time to installing fitness, competence, and an unshakable pride in Bengali identity.

Still, stifling recruitment of Bengali soldiers became part of the Pak Army policy. Osmani’s only ally in GHQ was General Khwaja Owaisuddin, of the Dhaka Nawab family, who lobbied for the issue to be put to the test, which was finally granted in 1961.

The EBR were put in a month-long survival mission in the mountains of Jhelum in the winter. Osmani’s training in particular proved vital. He had specifically trained them for the conditions of West Pakistan. The evaluator Gen K.M. Shaikh admitted they performed incredibly well.

When war broke out in 1965, Osmani was sidelined in decision making. But his influence was still felt in the performance of the 1st EBR, led by Col. ATK Haque, earning 17 gallantry awards. Osmani recommended several members for the Nishan-e-Haider, though this was brushed off.

Following this disillusionment, Osmani retired from the Pakistan Army in 1967. His interest in Bengali activism brought him to politics, becoming a valued part of Mujib’s Awami League. He successfully contested the 1970 election as an MP in Sylhet.

Osmani was a main targets on March 25, the commencement of Operation Searchlight. He tried to persuade Mujib to flee, only barely avoiding an attack on his home by Pak Commandos. He emerged in Sylhet in early April, given title Supreme Commander of the Mukti Bahini on 17th April.

Osmani masterminded the Monsoon guerilla offensive between June and September. His greatest contribution to the war was the years of effort he put into the EBR, who made up the bulk of the 11 sector commanders, and who’s 6000 members formed the nucleus of the Mukti Bahini.

Famous names who came from Osmani’s own 1st EBR would be organised under Z- Force, under later President Ziaur Rahman, including Capt. Hafizuddin Ahmed, Maj. Moinul Hossain Chowdhury. A video of Osmani on Victory Day is below.

Following Independence, Osmani was given the rank he deserved, becoming Bangladesh’s first 4 Star General, before retiring from service n April 1972. Osmani would continue to serve as a minister until, 1974, where he fell out with Mujib during his BAKSAL controversy.

Osmani would continue with forays into politics and public works until in 1983, he was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away at a London hospital on 16 Feb 1984, and given a national funeral with full public honours, buried in the Shahjalal Dargah Sharif, next to his mother.

M.A.G. Osmani, fondly remembered as Bongobir and Papa Tiger, inspired an entire nation with his dedication to the life of soldier and righteousness in defending the honour of his people. He remains one of the most important figures in Bangladesh’s liberation and modern history.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

The Lightning Campaign: Indo-Pakistan War 1971 -
General D.K. Palit
Muhammad Ataul Ghani Osmani (Bangabir) -
Commander-in-Chief - Syed Ahmed MortadaLondoni.co