Ex Mukti Bahini commander reveals untold 1971 war truths and India’s role

In a historic disclosure that has the potential to reshape the narrative surrounding the 1971 war, a former Mukti Bahini commander, Zainul Abideen, has come forward with startling revelations.

Speaking exclusively to a youtube channel, White News Bangla, the 74-year-old veteran, now residing in Pennsylvania, shared his firsthand account of the separation of East and West Pakistan, an event that forever altered the course of South Asian history.

The commander, who lived through the turmoil and led forces during the war, expressed his deep sorrow over the conflict. “We were forced to fight against the same country, against the same brothers, which was named Pakistan. It was beyond our dreams that a country created by our forefathers would one day see us in conflict with it.”

He disclosed that Mukti Bahini members were trained in India, a country he claims had its own vested interests in the conflict. “We took armed training in a country named India, which again wants to capture us. Dehradun was for leadership training, and Haflong was a military training center in India. I chose Haflong.”

Speaking on Bangladesh’s current political scenario, he made shocking claims about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s position in India.

“Hasina is not free in India. She is under house arrest, under Indian control. India will never release her. If she is freed, she will disclose everything—how India used her to capture Bangladesh and how India was responsible for killing our innocent people.”

The former commander revealed that his emergence as a writer began in India, and he now uses his writing to expose what he calls the “ugly face of India” to the world.

“May Allah enable me to expose India before the world. Ultimately, we will divide India into pieces.”

On the geopolitical front, he asserted that major world powers would not allow India to dominate Bangladesh.

“America will never allow India to invade Bangladesh, nor will Pakistan, China, or Russia. People in India know that Modi’s India is not in a position to have a war with Pakistan or even with Bangladesh.”

Looking ahead, he predicted a nuclear agreement between Pakistan and Bangladesh. “Pakistan and Bangladesh will come to a nuclear agreement in the future. Pakistan will naturally step forward in revenge for breaking Pakistan in 1971. If Pakistan had been united today, India would have already been divided. If India continues making problems for Bangladesh, it will divide, Insha Allah.”

He dismissed the notion of animosity between Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, emphasizing their shared religious and cultural ties.

“We do not have hatred against Pakistan. We are the same people, same religion. Pakistanis hug us Bangladeshis as their brothers. All the Muslims of Pakistan and Bangladesh have the same feelings. It is unfortunate that a country created by our forefathers could not remain united. If the tragic events of 1971 had not occurred, we could have been a stronger and better nation.”

Recounting his experiences in training, he disclosed, “We were trained in India under Mujeeb Bahini. Our trainers were from Assam and Uttar Pradesh. They never disclosed their names, but we knew them by initials—SK, CP, BM. One of them was Bimul Mukherji, whose name I only discovered after the creation of Bangladesh. There were six barracks, each with 100 students, mostly from Noakhali, Chittagong, and other parts of Bangladesh. Each barrack had four trainers.”

He detailed the military tactics they learned, including how to make small grenades, plant bombs, and destroy bridges and buildings. “I also received LMG training.”

The former Mukti Bahini commander believes that a new revolution will take place in India, leading to the formation of new states. “We are 98% Muslims. We will fight against India. India will divide because 48% of its territory does not belong to it. Mizoram was part of Bangladesh during Pakistan’s period, Tripura was also ours. A new revolution will occur in India, and new states will be formed.

Kashmir and Khalistan will be freed.”
Commenting on Modi’s military stance, he stated, “Modi cannot afford a war in South Asia amid so many nuclear powers. He is only making threats. Pakistan will never allow India to wage war against Bangladesh. Even Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman started relations with Pakistan in 1974. We should come closer, minimize our differences.”

Recalling his visit to Pakistan in 1995 for a writers’ conference, he shared a heartwarming experience.

“I met people who hugged me, calling me their Bangladeshi brother. I told them I was a member of Mukti Bahini. They said, ‘So what? You are our brother.’ This is the sentiment of Pakistani Muslim people. These people removed any hatred against Bangladesh. We have nothing to do with idol-worshipping Indians. All the people of Bangladesh and Pakistan share the same feelings.”

His revelations offer a fresh perspective on the history of South Asia and the potential for renewed ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the future.