Operation Barisal

Operation Barisal was a code-name of naval operation conducted by Pakistan Navy intended to take control of the city of Barisal, East Pakistan from the Mukti Bahini and the dissidents of the Pakistan Defence Forces. It was the part of Operation Searchlight.[1]

Operation Barisal
Part of Operation Searchlight and Bangladesh Liberation War
Date 25 April 1971 – 1 May 1971 Location Barisal, Bay of Bengal, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) 22.8°N 90.5°E / 22.8; 90.5 Result Pakistan Naval Success ▪︎ Starting of Bangladesh Liberation
Belligerents
Pakistan Pakistan Navy	Bangladesh Mukti Bahini Supported By India
Commanders and leaders
Captain Ejaz Chaudhri	Captain M. A. Jalil Major Rashedul Hasan
Units involved
17th Naval Gun Boat Squadron Special Service Group Navy (SSGN) 22nd Frontier Force Regiment 6th Punjab Regiment 14 Squadron Tail choppers	Mukti Bahini Barisal Units
Strength
4 gunboats 1 destroyer 1 patrol boat 24 fighter jets	Several hundreds to a few thousands
Casualties and losses
23 wounded	unknown
Further information, see Operation Searchlight, Bangladesh Liberation War and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Barisal Location within Bangladesh

Since the starting of Searchlight, the Mukti Bahini had been staging large scale sabotage missions, disturbing the communications and signals operatives in East Pakistan. Naval Intelligence found traces to the city of Barisal, therefore decided to conduct the operation. The operation was part of Searchlight and was to provide logistic support to the Pakistan Army, by first deploying the Pakistan Navy's gun boats and navy personnel on grounds.