 Throughout the war with the Pakistan Army, the Mujibnagar government would serve as the nominal head of the pro-independence guerrilla militias, mainly the Mukti Bahini.Although the state gained independence that was recognized by other countries only in December 1971, the Mujibnagar government is recognized as the first official government of Bangladesh.The Vice President of Bangladesh, Syed Nazrul Islam, performed the ceremony at Mujibnagar in the role of Acting President, because the President, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was detained in Pakistan throughout the war.