Birshreshtha Mostafa Kamal Monument

Mohammad Mostafar Kamal was born on December 16, 1947 in West Hajipara village of Daulatkhan Upazila of Bhola. Bivor Mustafa Kamal ran away from home in 1967 with the dream of becoming an army member and joined the East Bengal Regiment. After training, he started his career in 4 East Bengal Regiment in Comilla. During the 1971 freedom struggle, the Pakistani authorities sent the 4th East Bengal Regiment to Brahmanbaria and Sylhet to control internal disturbances. Realizing this conspiracy of Pakistanis, Major Shafayat Jamil along with some Bengali soldiers arrested all the Pakistani officers and soldiers under the leadership of Major Khaled Musharraf and took a defensive position at Ashuganj, Ujaniswar and Brahmanbaria along the Anderson Canal. On April 14, Pakistan launched a three-pronged attack on the defense positions of the 4th East Bengal Regiment of the Liberation Army. At that time, Mohammad Mustafa Kamal, a section commander of the 2nd platoon of Alpha Company, was posted in Daruin village of the Gangesagar defense position.

On 17 April, Pakistani forces again attacked the platoon. On April 18, a group of Pakistani forces surrounded the freedom fighters from behind. At one stage Mukti Bahini decided to retreat from Daruil village towards Akhaora railway station. But the freedom fighters needed non-stop covering fire to retreat to safety. The gallant Sepoy Mohammad Mustafa himself started covering fire asking his comrades to move to safety. At one point, Mustafa Kamal's LMG ran out of ammunition and he was mortally wounded. Then he was brutally killed by the soldiers of Pakistan Army. The people of Daruil village gave Birshreshtha Mostafa Kamal Monument with respect and sincerity. He was awarded the title of 'Bir Shrestha' by the Government of Bangladesh for his immense bravery.

The people of Daruin village of Akhaura in Brakshanbaria continue to preserve the memory of Bir Shrestha Mostafa Kamal with utmost care. A memorial plaque has been erected at the site where he fought.

If you want to see Bir Shresh Mustafa Kamal's tomb, you have to go to Daruin village, three miles away from Akhaura Upazila of Brahmanbaria. The distance from Brahmanbaria town to Akhaura is about 23 km. You can go by bus or train from Dhaka. If you go by bus, reach Brahmanbaria and take CNG from there. But it is best to go directly to Akhaura railway station by train from Dhaka. The fare of the train ticket will be Tk 140 to Tk 575 per person depending on the class. Besides, you can reach Akhaura by taking any of the Chittagong-bound trains that stop at Akhaura.

From Akhaura, one can go to Bir Shrestha Mustafa Kamal's burial place in Daruin village by local transport.

There are some decent residential hotels in Akhaura. Besides, if you want, you can come to Brahmanbaria and spend the night.

You can take some dry food along with it. If you want to eat something good, you have to come and eat it. Nine Star beef khichuri is famous in Akhaura market.

Feature Image : Raihan Rana