Air Vice Marshal (retd) AK Khandaker, Bir Uttam, deputy chief of staff of the Liberation War and former chief of the Bangladesh Air Force, passed away on Saturday morning.
He died at 10:35am due to old age, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
A distinguished freedom fighter and visionary military leader, AK Khandaker played a pivotal role during the 1971 Liberation War as deputy chief of staff under the Mujibnagar government. He later became the first chief of the Bangladesh Air Force, leading efforts to rebuild and reorganise the force after independence.
Role in the Liberation War
During the war, AK Khandaker joined India after defecting from the Pakistan Air Force and was entrusted with overseeing training and operations. He was instrumental in establishing the Bangladesh Air Force’s first combat unit, Kilo Flight, in Dimapur, Nagaland, which carried out key operations despite limited resources.
For his outstanding contribution to the Liberation War, he was awarded the gallantry title Bir Uttam.
Post-war career and recognition
After independence, Khandaker took charge as the first chief of the Bangladesh Air Force and led its post-war reorganisation. In recognition of his lifelong contributions, he received the country’s highest civilian honour, the
Independence Award, in 2011.
He later entered politics and was elected a member of parliament from Pabna-2 (Bera–Sujanagar) in the 2008 national election.
The Kurmitola Air Base in Dhaka has been named after him in honour of his service to the nation.
