Liberation War Deputy Chief of Staff AK Khandaker's funeral held in Dhaka

The funeral prayers of Air Vice Marshal (retd) AK Khandker, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Liberation War and former Chief of the Bangladesh Air Force, was held on Sunday afternoon (December 21) at Bashar Air Base (National Parade Ground) in Dhaka.

The funeral prayers took place around 2:00pm, attended by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, the chiefs of the three armed forces, along with senior military and civilian officials, paying their final respects to one of the nation’s most decorated war-time commanders.

According to a statement from Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), AK Khandker passed away at 10:35am on Saturday.

AK Khandker was commissioned into the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in September 1952 as a Pilot Officer. He served as a fighter pilot until 1955, later becoming a flying instructor. He remained with the PAF Academy until 1957, and served as Flight Commander at the Flying Instructor School until 1958.

He continued his career as Flight Commander of the Jet Fighter Conversion Squadron until 1960, before serving as Squadron Commander at the PAF Academy until 1961. From 1961 to 1965, he again commanded the Jet Fighter Conversion Squadron, and later served as Officer Commanding of the Training Wing at the PAF Academy until 1966.

AK Khandker was appointed President of the PAF Planning Board, a position he held until 1969, before returning to Dhaka that year as Second-in-Command of a PAF Base.