Deputy Chief of Staff of the Bangladesh Liberation War and former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal AK Khandkar, Bir Uttam passed away on Saturday morning.
An Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) release said that the war hero breathed his last at 10:35 am on the day (Saturday) due to old age complications.
Abdul Karim Khandkar widely known as AK Khandkar was born on January 1, 1930. He died at the age of 95.
He was a distinguished figure in the national history.
AK Khandkar was elected to the Jatiya Sangsad from Pabna-2 constituency in 2009 general elections.
He played a pivotal role in the Liberation War as Deputy Chief of Staff.
He later served as Bangladesh's Minister of Planning.
His illustrious career also included diplomatic assignments as Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India and Australia.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus expressed his deep shock and sorrow at the death of AK Khandker.
In his condolence message the Chief Adviser said that AK Khandker was an unforgettable soldier of Bangladesh's Liberation War.
During the Great War of Liberation in 1971, he played a key role in securing the country's independence, demonstrating courage, foresight, and leadership, he noted.
Professor Yunus said that as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Liberation Forces, his strategic decisions, organisational skills, and unwavering patriotism strengthened the struggle for independence.
The Chief Adviser added that after independence, AK Khandker played a pioneering role in establishing the Bangladesh Air Force and, as the country's first Chief of Air Staff, made outstanding contributions to establishing the force as a well-organised and effective institution.
He mentioned that AK Khandkar, as a freedom fighter, faced severe criticism under the fallen fascist regime for writing the history of the Liberation War.
"Presenting the genuine history of the Great War of Liberation was considered a crime under the fallen regime," he added.
The Chief Adviser described AK Khandkar as a steadfast freedom fighter, honest, courageous, and a patriotic idealist, whose work, thoughts, and principles would continue to inspire future generations.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has condoled his death.
"I convey my deep sympathy to the bereaved family members of late AK Khandkar," he said in a statement issued on Saturday.
He prayed for salvation of the departed soul.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com
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