From March 26 to December 10, 1971, countless brave Bengalis laid down their lives in the War of Liberation. Their blood consecrated this soil. After months of bloodstained days and nights, December 10 finally arrived. On this day, Pakistani forces began to crumble across most parts of Bangladesh, and victory flags started rising over Bengali homes. The slogan “Joy Bangla” echoed from every direction.

December 10, 1971, was a Friday. Curfew had been imposed in Dhaka. The city was swallowed by darkness as electricity remained cut off. The Intercontinental Hotel (now Ruposhi Bangla Hotel) and Holy Family Hospital were declared safe zones, where foreign diplomats and citizens took shelter.

On this day, the Indian allied forces bombed the Dhaka Radio station, knocking it off the air. Bombings also took place in Chattogram and Chalna Port. Fighting at Chalna continued for three hours from the morning, destroying at least ten ships.

Fierce battles raged in Laksam, Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, Sylhet, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Kushtia, and Khulna. Pakistani troops in Rangpur and Dinajpur became completely cut off from Bogura and Rajshahi. By nightfall, Bahadurabad Ferry Ghat had come under the control of the Freedom Fighters. Laksam was liberated, where nearly 500 Pakistani soldiers, including their commanding officer, surrendered.

Across the country, Pakistani camps were being abandoned. But many soldiers still fighting in remote areas had not received orders from their camps. Cut off from communication, these isolated Pakistani troops were forced to surrender in different regions.

Meanwhile, defeating the Pakistanis, valiant Freedom Fighters were hoisting the blood-soaked national flag across the country. The barbaric army and their collaborators—Al-Badr and Razakars—were unleashing their final wave of brutality, committing killings and destruction. Yet, even through rivers of blood, the flag of victory was rising in the skies of Bangladesh.

On this day in 1971, the 57th Division demonstrated to the world how the allied forces overcame the river barriers leading to Dhaka. At dawn, troops of the division were airlifted by helicopter and dropped 3–4 miles south of Bhairab Bazar. The major operation to cross the Meghna River continued throughout the day.

The first group of soldiers landed on the far bank and quickly established a foothold. Slightly north, near Bhairab Bazar, a large Pakistani force was positioned. They had destroyed part of the bridge and were lying in ambush along the western bank of the river. As soon as the sun rose, they spotted the helicopters crossing the river. Yet, out of fear, they did not abandon their position. Believing this might be a diversion, they suspected that if they moved, the main allied force would advance from Ashuganj along the Bhairab–Dhaka road.