Bullet lodged for 55 years removed from freedom fighter's body

Mannas Ali, 75, a resident of Durgapur upazila in Netrokona, has finally found relief after a bullet fired by the Pakistani occupation forces during the 1971 Liberation War was successfully removed from his body after nearly 55 years.

Unable to afford medical treatment for decades due to extreme poverty, the elderly freedom fighter underwent a successful surgery at the Durgapur Upazila Health Complex, thanks to the initiative of a few local youths and cooperation from doctors on Saturday afternoon (July 4).

A medical team led by the hospital's Residential Medical Officer (RMO), Dr. Tanzirul Islam Raihan, performed the 30-minute surgery free of cost to extract the bullet from his abdomen. Mannas Ali is currently in stable condition and will remain under hospital observation for a few days.

Hailing from Hariyaund village in the Gaokandia union of Durgapur upazila, Mannas Ali was wounded during a retaliatory massacre by Pakistani forces in 1971. Following the killing of three Pakistani soldiers by freedom fighters in Gaokandia, the occupation forces set fire to surrounding villages and opened fire indiscriminately. Mannas Ali was struck in the abdomen while trying to flee for his life. Although he survived, the bullet became a source of lifelong physical agony.

Due to acute financial hardship and a fear of surgery, he never received advanced medical treatment and lived with the bullet for over five decades.

His plight recently came to light after his story was shared on social media. A local youth named Mosharraf, along with several others, took the initiative to admit him to the Durgapur Upazila Health Complex. Doctors decided to operate after X-rays and diagnostic tests confirmed the presence of the bullet in his abdomen.

Expressing his gratitude, Mannas Ali's son, Abul Hossain, said, "My father used to fall sick frequently because of the bullet. We couldn't afford his treatment, and he was also terrified of surgery. Today, it was finally removed with everyone's help. We are immensely grateful to all."

Dr. Tanzirul Islam Raihan, RMO of the Durgapur Upazila Health Complex, stated, "He was brought to the hospital on Friday. After running the necessary tests, we confirmed the bullet's location. Upon learning that he could not afford treatment for so long, the hospital authorities arranged the surgery entirely free of charge."

He added that the operation was successful, the bullet was safely retrieved, and the local police station has been officially informed about the recovered ammunition. Mannas Ali is currently stable and will remain under close medical observation for the next three to four days.