Dhaka, Dec. 16 -- On Dec 16, 1971, Dhaka was a city on the edge of jubilation. The streets overflowed with people celebrating the victory in the Liberation War, but the city's radio station remained closed that day.

Indian allied forces had planned to announce Bangladesh's independence formally the following morning -- but a few daring guerrilla fighters decided they would not wait.

The group, acting with urgency and determination, formulated a plan that very night and executed it by the morning of Dec 17.

This action preempted the allied forces, surprising the Indian military officers who had arrived in the capital.

One of the masterminds behind this historic announcement is Habibul Alam, a decorated Bir Protik, who shared his accoun...