Headquarters of Sector 1 at Harina: The Nerve Center of Operations

Nestled deep within the dense forests and rugged hills of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the remote village of Harina in Rangamati district served as the headquarters of Sector 1 throughout much of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. This unassuming location became the beating heart of Mukti Bahini operations in the southeast, coordinating guerrilla warfare across a vast and challenging terrain.

Harina was not chosen by accident. Its strategic placement transformed a quiet tribal settlement into the nerve center from which commanders directed ambushes, sabotage missions, infiltrations, and the eventual final offensives that led to victory.The Ideal Location: Natural Defenses and Border ProximityHarina’s geographical advantages made it perfect for a guerrilla headquarters:

Deep in the Hills: Surrounded by thick tropical jungle and steep ridges, Harina was extremely difficult for Pakistani forces to locate or assault. Aerial reconnaissance was hampered by dense canopy, and ground patrols risked deadly ambushes on narrow trails.
Natural Escape Routes: Rivers such as the Chengi provided water supply and multiple evacuation paths into even more inaccessible areas.
Close to India: Its proximity to the Tripura border allowed secure supply lines for arms, ammunition, medicine, and intelligence from Indian allies. Fighters could cross for training and return quickly without long exposure.
Tribal Support: The local Chakma and other indigenous communities offered shelter, food, guides, and early warning against enemy movements.

The headquarters was formally established after the Sector Commanders’ Conference in July 1971, though preliminary operations had already begun under Major Ziaur Rahman earlier in the year.Simple bamboo and thatch structures, hidden among trees, housed command posts, radio rooms, medical aid stations, and small armories. The setup was deliberately low-profile to avoid detection.Commanders Who Operated from HarinaMajor Ziaur Rahman, the first commander of Sector 1 (April to June 1971), used Harina as a key base during the initial organization phase. After his historic revolt in Chittagong and the independence declaration from Kalurghat, he retreated into the hills to build structured resistance. From here, he divided the sector into sub-sectors and began large-scale recruitment and training coordination.In July 1971, command passed to Captain Rafiqul Islam (later promoted to Major and awarded the gallantry title Bir Uttam). Captain Rafiq made Harina his primary headquarters for the remainder of the war. Under his steady leadership, the base became a highly efficient command hub, directing hundreds of guerrilla groups across Chittagong, the Hill Tracts, and the Belonia Bulge.Operations Directed from the Nerve CenterHarina coordinated five main sub-sectors: Rishimukh, Sreenagar, Manughat, Tabalchhari, and Dimagiri, each with its own sub-sector commander reporting directly to headquarters.Key functions included:

Planning Major Attacks: Ambushes on Pakistani convoys along the Dhaka-Chittagong highway, raids on outposts in Ramgarh and Kaptai, and repeated offensives in the Belonia Bulge were all mapped and timed from Harina.
Intelligence Coordination: Local tribal informants and scouts fed real-time information on enemy movements, allowing precise hit-and-run operations.
Training Oversight: Thousands of recruits were sent to camps across the border in Tripura for weapons training, guerrilla tactics, and survival skills, with schedules and logistics managed from Harina.
Medical and Logistics Support: Wounded fighters were treated in makeshift field hospitals nearby, and essential supplies were distributed through secure routes.
Radio Communication: Basic radio sets maintained contact with other sectors, the provisional government in Kolkata, and Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendro for propaganda broadcasts.

Despite its remote location, Harina never fell to Pakistani forces. Several attempts to raid the area were repelled by the terrain and Mukti Bahini defenses.Challenges Overcome at HarinaThe monsoon season brought heavy rain, turning paths into rivers of mud and making movement treacherous. Disease, limited medical facilities, and constant vigilance against betrayal were daily realities. Yet morale remained high, sustained by news of successful operations and the shared conviction of impending victory.Tribal cooperation was crucial. Local communities not only protected the headquarters but actively participated in misleading Pakistani patrols and providing early warnings.By December 1971, as Indian forces joined the war, detailed plans for the final push toward Chittagong city were finalized at Harina. The coordinated advance that followed led directly to the liberation of the port and the surrender of Pakistani troops in the sector.Legacy of Harina: Symbol of Decentralized ResistanceHarina exemplifies how the Mukti Bahini’s decentralized command structure allowed local leaders to adapt quickly to changing conditions. A small village headquarters in the hills orchestrated operations that tied down thousands of enemy troops and contributed decisively to victory.Today, Harina stands as a quiet reminder of the war’s grassroots leadership. Though not widely marked with grand monuments, its role in Sector 1’s success is remembered with pride by veterans and historians alike.The story of Harina teaches that in asymmetric warfare, the right location, local support, and determined leadership can turn even the most remote outpost into the nerve center of a nation’s liberation.Joy Bangla! From Harina’s hidden command posts rose the plans that helped secure Bangladesh’s freedom.