Liberation War Deputy Chief of Staff AK Khandaker Bir Uttam is no more

Staff Correspondent

Dhaka, 20 December 2025: Deputy Chief of Staff of the Great Liberation War, the first Air Force Chief of Independent Bangladesh and former Minister Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) AK Khandaker Bir Uttam has passed away (Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiun).

He breathed his last at 10:35 am on Saturday due to old age. He was about 96 years old. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed this information in a statement.

Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor to the interim government, has expressed deep grief over the death of AK Khandaker. In his condolence message, he said that the country has lost a heroic son in the death of AK Khandaker. He prayed for the forgiveness of his departed soul and expressed his condolences to the bereaved family.

AK Khandaker’s full name is Abdul Karim Khandaker. He was born on 1 January 1930 in Rangpur (where his father worked), and his native place was Bharenga village in Bera upazila of Pabna district. He was commissioned into the Pakistan Air Force in 1952 and served as a fighter pilot and instructor.

He resigned from the Pakistan Air Force and joined the Mukti Bahini during the Liberation War of 1971 and played an important role as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Bangladesh government during the Liberation War. He was appointed the first Chief of the Air Force of independent Bangladesh and reorganized the war-torn Air Force. He represented Bangladesh at the surrender ceremony of the Pakistani army at the Race Course Ground on 16 December 1971. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Liberation War, he was awarded the title of ‘Bir Uttam’ and the Swadhinata Padak in 2011.

After independence, he served as an ambassador during the Ziaur Rahman era. He became the Planning Minister during the HM Ershad regime. In 2008, he was elected as a member of parliament from Pabna on an Awami League ticket and served as the Planning Minister in Sheikh Hasina’s cabinet. The Kurmitola Air Base in Dhaka has been named ‘Bangladesh Air Force Base Bir Uttam AK Khandaker’ in his honour.

With the passing of AK Khandaker, the country has lost a renowned freedom fighter and visionary leader. His contribution will be remembered by the nation forever.