DAMAGE OBSERVATIONS - EAST PAKISTAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05162A000200010057-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 20
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2011
• Sequence Number: 57
• Publication Date: May 1, 1972
• Content Type: REPORT

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NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION CENTER
GROUP 1: EXCLUDED FROM
AUTOMATIC DOWNGRADING
AND DECLASSIFICATION
DAMAGE OBSERVATIONS ? EAST PAKISTAN
PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION
REPORT
MAY 1972
COPY No 2 2 2
21 PAGES
PIR-014/72
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ABSTRACT
1. This report describes the extent of damage observed to the surface transportation
systems, airfields, ports, industries, and military installations in East Pakistan. Each is
described separately, and a summary table, a map, and selected photographs are also
included.
INTRODUCTION
2. __]provided the first photographic coverage of East Pakistan since
the end of fighting in December 1971. A roximatel 85 ercent of the count was covered
on essentially cloud-free photography Much of the
coverage of the western areas of the country was at an extreme oblique angle. The
northcentral and southeastern parts of the country were not covered.
BASIC DESCRIPTION
Overview
3. Damage from the December war and pre-war civil disturbances in East Pakistan
had the greatest effect on the country's transportation systems. Twenty railroad bridges
and twelve major highway bridges were damaged and rendered unserviceable;, numerous
smaller highway bridges were also damaged. The result was a major disruption to ground
transportation systems. The only rail line between the major deep water port of Chittagong
and the supply distribution center at Dacca was rendered unserviceable by the damage to
five bridges. Although a number of the damaged highway bridges have been by-passed by
temporary measures, they will be subject to seasonal flooding.
4.. East Pakistan possesses few transport aircraft, and the serviceability of its
damaged airfields is of less immediate importance for the distribution of goods and
materials. Five. of thirteen damaged airfields had, however, been repaired and were
serviceable The major international field at Dacca was serviceable by
5. Waterways in East Pakistan, the primary means of transportation, remain largely
unobstructed. Access to major ports on the Pursur River has possibly been restricted by the
sinking of at least five merchant vessels near Chalna. Ports on the Pursur River are the
primary transloading and distribution points serving much of the southwest part of the
country.
6. The limited industrial and manufacturing facilities of East Pakistan appeared to
have suffered little structural damage. All major, and numerous minor mills and factories
appeared intact. Except for one destroyed small diesel powerplant and one damaged
thermal powerplant, all utilities appeared externally undamaged. The operational status of
industries and utilities could not be determined in all instances.
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7. -Only limited damage was observed at three major military installations. The
existing military facilities in East Pakistan were essentially intact.
8. Damage to civilian housing has been very extensive since March 1971. The heaviest
concentration of damage was noted in Dacca where more than 4,200 civilian-type dwellings
were burned out Some reconstruction was evident in late January 25X1
1972, mainly in the newer sections of the city. The destroyed dwellings in the older section
of the city have not been rebuilt.
9. A considerable amount of civilian housing, especially in small villages and isolated
settlements throughout East Pakistan, was apparently destroyed by fire with only charred
foundations remaining.
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Railroads
10. Twenty major railroad bridges in the East Pakistan rail network (Pakistan
Eastern Railway) were damaged, resulting in the virtual elimination of all through rail
traffic within the country (Figure 1 and Table 1).
11. Five of the damaged bridges are on the vital Chittagong-Dacca rail line, the major
trunk of the meter-gage system serving the eastern half of the country. The disability of this
rail line prohibits rail distribution: of goods from the country's only major seaport at
Chittagong to Dacca or other supply points on the eastern rail system. One bridge, the
Comilla Railroad Bridge over the Gumti River has been bypassed by a temporary rail
bridge. Indications of reconstruction were also evident at two other damaged bridges near
Feni: the Fozilpur Railroad Bridge over the Muhari River (Figure 2) and the Zararganj
Railroad Bridge over the Fenny River. Three of the thirteen spans of the vital Bhairab Bizar
Railroad Bridge over the Megna River (Figure 3) were destroyed and no reconstruction
efforts were apparent. In addition to the five damaged bridges, two bridges on branch lines
of the Chittagong-Dacca line were damaged.
12. In the western part of the country, west of the Ganges and Jamuna Rivers, the rail
system consists of a main north/south broad-gage trunk line with broad- and meter-gage
branches. Thirteen rail bridges on the western system were destroyed. Only two of these,
the Shra Railroad Bridge over the Ganges River and the Akkelpur Railroad Bridge over the
Vanuan River Tributary, are on the main trunk line. The other eleven damaged bridges are
on branch lines. Repair of the two bridges on the trunk line could provide rail service to
much of the western half of the. country. The eastern and western rail system of East
Pakistan are connected by a ferry over the Jamuna River.
Highways
13. Damage to twelve major highway bridges and numerous small and single-span
highway bridges has caused disruptions to East Pakistan's already poor road system
(Figure 4 and Table 1). Eight of the major damaged highway bridges are west of the Ganges
and Jamuna Rivers; the other four are east of Dacca. Eight of the twelve major damaged
highway bridges have been bypassed by temporary bridges, fords, or ferrys (Figure 5).
These bypass measures may not be serviceable during periods of high water in the monsoon
season (May thru September). Although most of these damaged bridges are on secondary
routes, one bridge on the main route between Dacca and Comilla has been replaced by a
ferry (Figure 6).
Airfields
14. The two major airfields at Dacca and 11 other smaller airfields in East Pakistan
were damaged by aerial bombing or shelling (Figure 7 and Table 1). Most of this damage
was restricted to the runways with little destruction apparent to other airfield facilities.
The regular pattern of craters at three fields, Shibganj (Figure 8), Lalmanir Hat, and
Shamshernagar, suggests that they resulted from cratering charges. Damage at the Feni
Airfield resulted from probable bulldozer cuts across the runway. Craters on the runway at
Dacca/Tezgaon Airfield (Figure 9), the country's principal airfield, have been repaired and
the airfield was operational The airifields at Ishurdi, Saidpur, 25X1
Rangpur, and Shibganj have been repaired and are serviceable. The eight other airfields,
including Dacca/Kurmitola (Figure 10), are still unserviceable. Only three airfields in East
Pakistan- -Sylhet, Tangail, and Rajshahi--appeared undamaged.
Ports
15. East Pakistan's only seaports at Chittagong and Cox's Bizar were not covered
The country does have two river ports at Chalna and Khulna, both on the
Pusur River. Khulna, the northernmost port could not be interpreted because of obliquity
of the photography.
16. Five (possibly seven) capsized freighters in the Pursur River have possibly on the
Mungla Anchorage at Chalna (Figure 11 and Table 1). The river remains navigable,
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however, to small craft and barges. Damage to the port facility at Chalna was apparent at
one large storage building, ten warehouses, and at least 200 smaller buildings. Undamaged
facilities at Chalna included 14 finger piers, ten warehouses, two large storage buildings,
and numerous small open storage areas (Figure 12).
17. Except for the possible restricted use of the Pusur River, the extensive waterways
of East Pakistan appeared unobstructed. Dropped spans and debris at damaged bridge
crossings have apparently not hindered inland waterway transportation.
Industry
18. The industrial base of East Pakistan is made up primarily of small widely
scattered industries and manufacturing plants. The majority of these are located along
waterways or within cities. A search of photography revealed 22 jute mills, eight cotton
mills, two pulp and paper mills, nine sugar mills, four fertilizer plants, and one flour mill,
and 36 unidentified light industries. Positive evidence of damage was observed at only one
jute mill (23-49-25N 093-34-40E) located on the east bank of the Lakhya River (Figure 13
and Table 1). Four buildings at this mill had been severely damaged (Figure 14). All other
such plants and mills observed appeared undamaged.
19. The Chhatak Cement Plant, the only one in East Pakistan, sustained minimum
external damage. A sin le hole was observed in the roof of the kiln building. The plant was
operating on as evidenced by smoke emanating from the stack (Figure 15). 25X1
20. The Bheramara Thermal Power Plant Ganges Kobadak received extensive
structural damage (Figure 16).
Military
21. All major military installations, except those in the Chittagong area, were covered
Only very limited damage was observed at four cantonments (Figure 17 25X1
and Table 1).
22. At the Tezgaon Ordnance Depot in Dacca, three large storage buildings sustained
structural and roof damage (Figure 18).
23. In the Jessore area, where heavy fighting reportedly took place, damage
assessment was difficult because of the extreme oblique photography. Four support
buildings at the Jessore Army Barracks and Brigade Headquarters had roof damage.s
24. Structural damage to one large storage building and three vehicle sheds was seen
at the Comilla Army Barracks and Brigade Headquarters Maynamati.
25. At Dacca Barracks and Storage Area Kurmitola, two barracks were destroyed and
eight barracks were damaged.
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RAI LROADS
? Destroyed railroad bridge
Destroyed railroad bridge
with bypass
? Ferry crossing
NPIC P-3643
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HIGHWAYS
? Damaged bridges
Damaged bridges (by-passed)
Bridge (damaged approaches)
~J2 Numbered routes
Road
Railroad
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10 20 30 40 50 60
I I I I I I
90?00'
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* Undamaged
? Damaged
? Damaged & repaired
10 20 30 40 50 80
i i I i i
NAUTICAL MILES
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BHUTAN
Road
Railroad
1
Chalna
INDIA
Dinjapur
CALCUTTA \
PORTS
Sea ports
? River ports
NAUTICAL MILES
I I
092?00'
88?00' -1- I
I
Sylhet
NPIC P-3653
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1
92 ?00'
1
NPIC P 3655
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INDIA
aidpur
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 1 span collapsed
1 span destroyed
approximately 50%
of bridge is down
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Table 1. Damage Summary, East Pakistan
Mahiganj, over (3)
Tista River
Dinajpur, over (4)
Purnabhaba Dhao
(Dhepa River)
Dinajpur, over (5)
Atrai River
Dinajpur East, (6)
over Kakrai River
Akkelpur, over (8)
Vanuan River
Tributary
Talora, over (9)
Nagar River
Bogna, over (10)
Karatoya River
Abdulpur West (12)
over Barai River
Shra, over (13)
Ganges River
Dattapara, over (14)
Tungikhal (Dual)
River
Bhairab Bizar, over (15)
Meghna River
(see Figure 3)
Comilla, over (17)
Gumti River
Fozilpur, over (19)
Muhari River
(see Figure 2)
Zararganj, over (20)
Fenny River
Nidarabad RR Bridge (16)
over Stream
Bhurburia RR Bridge (18)
over Selonia River
Jamgram RR (1)
Bridge over Stream
Bhurungamari RR (2)
Bridge over Raidak River
Rahanpur (Ruhanpur) RR (7)
Bridge over Purnabhaba River
Phubari, over (4)
Stream
Atrai, over (5)
Gur River
Kushtia-Meherpur (6)
Kushtia-Meherpur, (7)
over Matabhanga River
25-36-48N 088.42-0OE
25-38.30N 088.45-55E
24-55-52N 089-00-59E
24-51-02N 089-22-45E
24-17.23N 088-51-35E
24-04.05N 089-02.10E
23-52-54N 090.24-45E
24.02-38N 090-59-50E
23-29.04N 091-09.57E
22-57-OON 091.30-15E
22-54.54N 091-31.48 E
25-06-42N 089.30-30E
24-01-10N 091-18.50E
23-03-10E 091.25-40E
26-14-50N 089-05.30E
26.05-44N 089-43-20E
24.49-25N 088-19.10E
25-30-OON 088.57-20E
24.36-40N 088-58-20E
23.52-15N 088.47-20E
6 spans, deck type,
steel plate girder
3 spans, deck type,
steel plate girder
single track, deck type,
steel plate girder
3 spans, deck type,
concrete beam
8 spans, deck type,
steel plate girder
15 spans, through, steel
truss; 2 spans, deck type,
steel plate girder
4 spans, through,
steel plate girder
13 spans, 7 through,
steel truss; 6 deck,
steel truss
5 spans, semithrough,
steel truss
7 span, deck,
steel plate
girder
5 spans, deck,
steel plate girder
3 spans, deck,
steel plate girder
undetermined
9 spans, plate
truss
13 spans, deck,
11 steel plate
girder
2 steel truss
multispan, deck type,
concrete
3 span, deck type,
concrete
6 span, deck type,
concrete
1 span destroyed,
1 span probably
destroyed
1 span destroyed
2 spans of west
bridge destroyed;
east bridge undamaged
3 through, steel
truss spans
destroyed
3 spans destroyed
3 spans on east
end destroyed,
reconstruction in progress
3 spans on south
end destroyed,
reconstruction in progress
2 spans
destroyed
entirely destroyed
3 spans destroyed
13 spans destroyed
approximately 50%
of bridge destroyed
both approaches
damaged
3 spans destroyed
unserviceable
serviceable
RR bypass east
of original
bridge
unserviceable
unserviceable
unserviceable
unserviceable
unserviceable
unserviceable
unserviceable--
small bypass
bridge south
of original
unserviceable--
bypass ford
south of bridge
unserviceable
probably
serviceable
unserviceable--
ford east of
bridge
unserviceable--
ford south of
bridge
unserviceable--
bypass bridge
north of
original bridge
unserviceable--
serviceable
ferry east of
bridge
Kasimpur Highway (9)
Bridge North over
Turag River
Feni Highway Bridge (12)
over Fenny River
(see Figure 5)
Jessore (8)
Comilla (15)
Sylhet (13)
Shamshernagar (14)
Tangail (7)
Ishurdi (6)
Kamrangir Char (11)
Barisal (12)
Chalna Port
Facilities Mungla Anch (1)
(see Figure 12)
Chhatak Cement Plant (3)
(see Figure 15)
Bheramara Thermal Power (1)
Plant Ganges Kobadak
(see Figure 16)
Jute Mill (2)
(see Figure 14)
Jessore Army Bks and (1)
Bde Headquarters
Comilla Army Bks (4)
23-50.20N 090-24-03E
23-46.45N 090.23-03E
23-10-52N 089-09-50E
24.57-30N 091-52-38E
24.23-40N 091.55-1OE
23-02-05N 091-23-58E
26-01-0ON 088-24.10E
25.53-20N 089-26.00E
24-26.35N 088-37-07E
25-45.40N 088-54-30E
25-44.55N 089.14-15E
24-13-35N 089-54-35E
24-09-10N 089-03-10E
23-47-30N 090.38.45E
22.47-48N 090-18-15E
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5 span, deck type,
concrete
5 spans
2 deck girder
2 deck truss
1 half-thru truss
6 spans, deck type,
concrete
unserviceable,
serviceable ford
south of bridge
unserviceable,
serviceable pontoon
bridge north of
original
14 craters on runway, unserviceable
1 crater on crossover link,
2 craters on taxiway
23 craters on runway
at least four small bomb
craters on runway
2 large and 2 small craters
on runway
undamaged
14 craters on runway--
probably from cratering
charges
3 bomb craters and numer-
ous probable bulldozer cuts
in runway
25 craters on runway--
probably from cratering
charges
16 craters on runway--at
least 14 are probably from
cratering charges
undamaged
3 bomb craters on runway
2 bomb craters on runway
undamaged
3 bomb craters on runway
6 bomb craters on runway
3 bomb craters on runway
one large storage building
damaged, five (possibly seven)
merchant vessels capsized in
river anchorage, over 200
small buildings damaged or
razed
serviceable--
20 craters repaired,
3 craters being repaired
appears unserviceable
serviceable
repaired and serviceable
appears repaired and
serviceable
serviceable
repaired and serviceable
unserviceable
unserviceable
single hole in roof of kiln build-
ing; plant is operational
one large plant building was bad-
ly damaged
extensive roof and structural
damage to three large storage
buildings
at least four support buildings
appeared to have holes in roofs
structural damage to one large
storage building and three
vehicle sheds
two barracks were destroyed and
eight barracks were damaged
III
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Series 1501 JOG-G, Sheets NF 45-46 & NG 45-46, scale 1:250,000
USAF Joint Navigation) Chart, JNC-37, scale 1:2,000,000
NPIC/IEG/SGD/SAB Project 120201 NF
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