It’s now practically fifty years for the reason that breakup of East Pakistan elevating unanswered questions in its path in regards to the causes and course of conflict ensuing within the nice tragedy. Writers and people within the midst of occasions are developing with their variations. Lt Col (retired) Shujat Latif, in his autobiography, Shujat ki Kahani, Mitthu ki Zubani,’ seems by the troopers’ eyes on the occasions unfolding through the fateful days. Senior army commanders have give you their model of the good tragedy. However what distinguishes Shujat from the remainder, is his palms on candid discourse whereas he was battling by the riverain, terrain, woods, and thickly populated areas, participating with the invading troops and Bahinis. Pitched within the Jessor, Khulna salient he has numerous tales of his friends, of their valour and martyrdom, Shujat and his fellow compatriots who had been by no means brief of their spirit to sq. with the problem. He’s extremely essential as how the troops had been deployed all around the conflict theatre leaving big gaps in between for the enemy. Rations and ammunition was dumped in Dacca and logistics had been poorly organised. The capital surrounded by the rivers was properly secured in opposition to assault by the enemy floor troops. As a soldier he’s of the view that there ought to have been extra focus of actions in and across the capital. The author is at loss on the smug messages from the headquarters in regards to the imminent Chinese language and the US assist which was nowhere perception.
After the give up Shujat as a prisoner of conflict was transported to camp 44, in Agra the place he remained incarcerated for six months. He was vocal and forth proper and thought of as a hassle maker. The authorities determined to shift a few of such components from Agra to Ranchi in Bihar, a reasonably lengthy journey unfold over a day and evening. Shujat managed to pay money for a rod cutter and determined to flee from the working practice. He confided along with his buddies had some Indian foreign money. He was capable of reduce the metal bars of a window at evening and jumped down from the working practice. A traumatic second inflicting accidents and a lack of consciousness. As he turned acutely aware he may realise that he was within the custody of Indian coverage and again to camp as prisoner of conflict. Abortive try didn’t dampen his resolve. The camp commandant threatened to shoot him. Shujat was forth proper to convey that given the prospect he would make one more try. His job was to flee from the camp.
So true to his phrases when in Ranchi camp in league with a few of his colleagues he launched into the tedious and exacting process of digging a tunnel by his barrack. With some stolen improvised gadgets Shujat and his confidants had been capable of dig practically 169 ft lengthy tunnel, crossing the boundary wall. One of many longest tunnel surpassing the one through the Second World Struggle of the Nice escape fame. However earlier than they might escape the Indian authorities had already determined to repatriate them.
Again in Pakistan in mid 1977, as a platoon commander PMA one other tragedy befell on him when a bus loaded with the cadets, together with him, plunged right into a deep ridge close to Nathia Gali. There have been seventeen casualties of harmless lives. Shujat suffered head accidents and his decrease limbs suffered paralysis, remained hospitalised for pretty lengthy period. He struggled for all times for thus a few years. His indomitable resolve and a will to stay stayed so alive that he was capable of get out of that section. He was de categorised on the well being floor however picked up all the weather of a standard life until he found that he was affected by a most cancers of Teratoma tumour. He had fought many battles one more one now awaited him. He had chemotherapeutic therapy earlier than he was flown to Indiana college hospital the place he bumped into an expatriate nurse from his residence city, Sialkot, Ruth Sameoul, who took his further care and over time developed such a robust human bondage that Shujat known as her tailored sister.
Shujat ki Kahani, Mithu ki Zubani (Mithu his nick title) a copious quantity however makes a racy studying. It provides a firsthand account of a soldier’s turbulent life who’s properly rounded on the identical time, a passionate cricketer in his youth, a good friend and a household man, confronted distinctive adversities however had a robust will to bounce again with a craving to stay a standard life.
The author is an creator, a former federal secretary, at current Adjunct College at LUMS.
