6. Enroute from ghat to the base she was busy in talking to Sector Commander. It was almost an interview. At times she turned round me and ask me some questions. To tell you frankly I was afraid of her, not for any other reason but her question. Before we could reach the base, one freedom fighter came hurriedly through chest deep water to inform us about probable enemy encounter. He was sent by Sub (now Subedar Major) Taher Uddin Sheikh that enemy seen at village Jagannathpur in about a company strength coming towards cast. I was no more a shooting theatre. It turned as baule theatre. We were about 100 yards from the base; we beard the sound of own 3 inch mortar firing. Commander gave a smile at me and said “Shamsu in action" Commander asked Mrs. Marry “Encounter started. Do you still insist me to take you ahcad?” “Oh! sure Colonel" said Mrs. Marry. IIardly she could finish that sentence; two/three artillery shells landed plus of us. I saw tape recorder in action in recording. I said “Madam, do you know who is firing?” “I understand Definitely Pakistan Artillery. You don't have any Artillery" said Mrs. Marry.
7. Enemy started firing from field guns at normal rate. We hurriedly reached the base and took cover of a house which had mud wall. By the way that was my living room where I had a bed consisting of a blanket, a bed sheet and a rubber pillow. This was originally a Ilindu's hose. In one side of the house there was a statue of Kartik. There was another statue of a goose. Artillery shelling continued. While I was thinking of evacuating them (the reporters), one Sepoy came and reported me that enemy one company was trapped by us. I asked him what all he saw and knew. The Sepoy started narrating the story that enemy were in country-boats crossing a canal at a distance of half a mile from our position and out of small arms range of our platoon. Mortal observer did not want to miss the opportunity of dealing with the enemy and called mortal fire. As enemy were in boats on water; mortar firing was not that effecting. But out of chaos one of the nine boats sank and we were apprehending that all the boatmen might have died there.
8. Mrs. Marry straightway got out of the house and requested the Sepoy to accompany her in the scene. Mind you firing was still on we all accompanied her at the forward position. By this time enemy reached a mura near Daturmura at a distance of about 600 to 800 yards. I bricfed Mrs Marry and her companies to take cover of jackfruit tree. Bending my head I started moving from one soldier to another soldier to boost up their morale and know about enemy. I saw Mrs. Marry all the time following me and she was followed by her companies (photographer and recorder). The moment enemy detected us enemy started bringing Artillery fire. At times from the mura MG fire started coming at us. Whenever our men saw enemy; they used to fire from Rifles and LMG though it was out of range. I asked them not to fire as it was out of range. But they got so glittery that whenever enemy fired one brust from MG our men returned the fire by Rifle. After a lot of persuation I could control our fire.
9. Whenever I asked any of my troops what he could do with enemy they replied with an exaggerated enemy casualty figure. If I would total up the figures it would be approximate double the strength actually came there. Assessment was based on the fall of enemy after fire. This can be at times like that enemy took position at firing sound.
