During the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, the Pakistan Army set up a military camp in Gabtali. On 15 November, a commander of the Bengali freedom fighters was killed during a brawl between the two sides in the village of Daripara in Balia Dighi Union. Civilians were also killed when the Pakistani army attempted to take control of Jaybhoga's Railway Bridge. The army retreated on 13 December, murdering two civilians on the way, leading to another brawl with freedom fighters killing a Pakistani soldier. The final encounter was when four soldiers were caught hiding behind bushes in Kshudraperi on 16 December. This encounter resulted in the deaths of all four soldiers and a freedom fighter.