December 10: Heroic sacrifice of Birshreshtha Ruhul Amin, begining of intellectual killings

December 10 holds a special place in the history of Bangladesh’s Liberation War. On this day, the warfront saw decisive victories, while Dhaka witnessed the beginning of the brutal intellectual killings. The nation also lost one of its greatest heroes—Birshreshtha Mohammad Ruhul Amin.

The Supreme Sacrifice of Birshreshtha Ruhul Amin
Around 11am, joint forces’ gunboats reached near Mongla Shipyard. Suddenly, three fighter planes appeared. Believing them to be enemy aircraft, Ruhul Amin ordered preparations for attack. Moments later, the planes dropped bombs, setting the gunboat ablaze.

Many jumped into the river, but Ruhul Amin remained at his post till the last moment.

A bomb splinter shattered his left arm and caused heavy bleeding. Even in that state, he managed to swim to the eastern bank of the Rupsha River with a comrade’s help.

There, waiting Pakistani soldiers and razakars brutally killed him with bayonets. Local villagers later buried him by the riverside.

Rapid Liberation Across the Country
December 10 marked major victories for the joint forces. Mymensingh, Bhola, Madaripur, Narail, and Ashuganj in Brahmanbaria were freed from enemy control.

Ashuganj saw one of the fiercest battles. An Indian regiment mistakenly entered Pakistani defenses and became trapped, but Bangladeshi and Indian forces launched a powerful counterattack and rescued them.

The defeated Pakistani troops fled toward Bhairab after blowing up the bridge.

In Jamalpur, a dramatic episode unfolded when the Pakistani commander rejected a surrender proposal and returned it wrapped around a bullet. A massive air and ground assault followed.

The joint forces also advanced toward Chattogram and blocked the Pakistani escape route from Khulna. Indian naval and air strikes disabled the ports of Chattogram and Chalna, trapping Pakistani ships in the Bay of Bengal.

Tension in the International Arena
December 10 was equally tense globally. Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared that victory was impossible without establishing Bangladesh’s legitimate government and ensuring the safe return of refugees. Pakistan demanded the withdrawal of Indian troops at the UN. China issued strong warnings to India, and the U.S. Seventh Fleet moved toward the Malacca Strait.

Beginning of the Intellectual Killings
Sensing imminent defeat, Pakistan’s military leadership initiated a plan to wipe out Bangladesh’s brightest minds.

On December 10, under the guidance of Rao Farman Ali and with the help of Al-Badr, eminent journalist Sirajuddin Hossain was abducted from his home—marking the start of the horrifying intellectual killings.

December 10 was the day when the Liberation War surged toward its final victory. With the heroism of Birshreshtha Ruhul Amin, and the joint forces freeing one region after another, it became clear that the birth of an independent Bangladesh was only moments away.