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BangladeshNationalist Party-BNP
On 10 December, we commemorate the 54th martyrdom anniversary of Bir Sreshtho Shaheed Mohammad Ruhul Amin—one of the greatest heroes of our Liberation War. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party - BNP pays its deepest respect to this brave son of the nation.
When the Pakistani occupation forces unleashed a brutal campaign of massacre on the night of 25 March 1971, Ruhul Amin left his post at the Chittagong Naval Base and returned to his village. There he organized students, youths, and soldiers who had defected from the Pakistan Army, and began giving them military training. In May 1971, along with nearly 500 students and youths, he went to the headquarters of Sector 3 and joined the Liberation War under the command of Major K. M. Shafiullah.
During the formation of the Bangladesh Navy, two donated tugboats were converted into gunboats capable of carrying Canadian Bofors guns and British 500-pound Mark mines. These gunboats were named ‘Padma’ and ‘Palash’. Naval personnel from different sectors and sub-sectors were gathered in Agartala in September for the formation of the naval command. Engine Room Artificer Mohammad Ruhul Amin also joined them in Agartala and was later posted in Kolkata. He was eventually assigned to Gunboat Palash.
Though an engine room artificer by profession, Ruhul Amin, through his determination, mastered the skill of laying naval mines. Between 12:30 AM and 1:30 AM on 11 November 1971, he demonstrated exceptional skill by laying four mines between Buoy No. 5 and Buoy No. 8 near Chalna Port. These mines exploded on 13 November, causing significant damage to Pakistani gunboats and ships.
Following the liberation of the Jessore cantonment on 6 December, the Mukti Bahini planned to free Mongla Port from Pakistani control. As part of this operation, Padma, Palash, and the allied Indian gunboat INS Panvel advanced from the Haldia base toward Bangladesh through the British Indian Steamer Channel. On the night of 9 December, the vessels advanced to Hiran Point without resistance and anchored there. At dawn on 10 December, they moved toward Mongla Port, reaching unhindered at 7:30 AM.
The final assault began at 9:30 AM, with Panvel in the lead, followed by Palash and Padma.
Around noon, as the gunboats approached Khulna Shipyard, three Pakistani fighter jets appeared in the sky. Suddenly, the jets swooped down and began bombing. One bomb struck the engine room of Padma, causing severe casualties and rendering the vessel inoperable. Although Palash and Panvel initially avoided damage, panic spread among the sailors, and the captain of Palash ordered the ship to be abandoned.
But Ruhul Amin refused to retreat. He went straight to the engine room, determined to keep the gunboat operational and protect the naval fleet at any cost. Soon Pakistani jets returned and bombed again—one of the bombs struck Palash, setting the engine room ablaze. As the fire spread and ammunition began exploding, Ruhul Amin and his comrade Mohibullah fought desperately to contain the flames, but the situation became uncontrollable.
Ruhul Amin eventually jumped into the river to save himself from the burning ship. As soon as he reached the shore, local Razakars opened fire on him. He was gravely injured and then brutally tortured to death by them.
The villagers later recovered his body and buried him with due honor on the bank of the Bhairab River—though, over the years, the grave has been washed away by the river.
For his unmatched bravery, skill, tactical leadership, and ultimate sacrifice for Bangladesh’s independence, the Government of Bangladesh awarded him the nation’s highest military honor: Bir Sreshtho.
His heroism and ideals will remain eternally etched in the glorious history of our independence.
