ডাকাতিয়া পাড়ের মুক্তিযুদ্ধ: রণনীতি ও রণকৌশল
মিঠুন কুমার সাহা
সহকারী অধ্যাপক, ইতিহাস বিভাগ, ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়

Abstract: Pathan Bahini, a locally organized freedom fighter group based in Hajiganj area of Chandpur sub-division during the Liberation War of Bangladesh, played a role as the main force of the liberation war in the Dakatiya river area. This local fighter group transformed the liberation war into a people's war by utilizing the people’s psyche who were offended by the massacre and oppression of the Pakistani forces in that area. Despite being unequal in strength, Pathan Bahini attacked the Pakistani forces initially using guerrilla war tactics. As the days passed, these forces capacitated themselves with innovative strategies and tactics, capitalizing on the geographical advantage of the Dakatiya coastal area. Guerrilla tactics followed by the Pathan forces are similar in many respects to the tactics devised by Mao Tse-tung, but some differences are also noticeable in this regard. On the whole, a blended war strategy of the freedom fighter group and local support to them became instrumental to their success against the mighty occupation army.

Key Words: Dakatiya River, People’s War, Guerrilla War, Strategic Counter Offensive, Mobile Warfare.