Jagatjyoti Das

Shaheed Jagatjyoti Das (Bir Bikrom) was a legendary guerrilla commander of the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. He is widely revered for his extraordinary bravery and tactical brilliance in leading the famous guerrilla unit known as the 'Das Party' against the Pakistani occupation forces in the vast wetland (Bhati/Haor) region of northeastern Bangladesh. Jagatjyoti Das was born on April 26, 1949, in Jalsukha village under Ajmiriganj upazila of Habiganj district. He completed his secondary education at Jalsukha Krishna Govinda Public High School and later enrolled at Sunamganj Government College. From his student days, he was actively involved in progressive student politics and local social welfare activities, demonstrating strong leadership qualities early in life. When the Liberation War broke out in 1971, Jagatjyoti crossed the border into India to join the resistance. He received advanced training in guerrilla warfare, explosives, and modern weaponry at the Eco-1 camp in Tezpur, Assam, India. Upon returning to Bangladesh, he was assigned to operate under Sector 5. Recognizing the unique aquatic terrain of the region, he formed a specialized guerrilla unit of local youths, which came to be known as the 'Das Party' under his command. Under his dynamic leadership, the Das Party became a formidable force and a source of constant terror for the Pakistani military and their local collaborators (Razakars) across Sunamganj, Habiganj, Netrokona, and Kishoreganj. Utilizing small country boats and local knowledge, Jagatjyoti executed highly successful naval ambushes, destroying Pakistani gunboats, cargo barges, and disrupting vital military supply lines. His operations in Ajmiriganj, Salla, Dirai, and Jamalganj are studied as exemplary models of inland aquatic guerrilla warfare. On November 16, 1971, during an operation at Badarpur in Salla upazila of Sunamganj, Jagatjyoti and his team were surrounded by a massive joint force of the Pakistani military and local collaborators. Realizing the imminent danger to his comrades, Jagatjyoti ordered his team members to retreat to safety while he courageously stayed behind to provide cover fire. He single-handedly fought against overwhelming odds, holding off the enemy until he was struck by a sniper's bullet and embraced martyrdom. Following his death, the Pakistani forces and their collaborators took his body to Ajmiriganj bazaar and subjected it to brutal desecration to intimidate the local population. However, his supreme sacrifice only fueled the determination of the local freedom fighters to liberate the motherland. In recognition of his outstanding gallantry, leadership, and ultimate sacrifice during the Liberation War, the Government of Bangladesh posthumously honored him with the prestigious state gallantry award, 'Bir Bikrom'.