Liberation War Deputy Chief of Staff AK Khandker passes away

The Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Liberation War, Commander of the ‘Kilo Flight’ and former Chief of the Bangladesh Air Force, Air Vice Marshal (Retd) AK Khandker, Bir Uttam, has passed away. He was 96.

He breathed his last at 10:35am on Saturday (December 20) due to old age, a press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

At around 12:30 pm, the Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Shafiqul Alam, announced the news of AK Khandker’s death in a post on Facebook.

In a post on his verified Facebook account, he wrote: "Abdul Karim Khandker, also known as AK Khandker, was a true hero and a true patriot. As the Deputy Chief of the Liberation Army, he set a unique example of leadership. After the war, he played a role in the formation of the Bangladesh Air Force and played an important role in public life. He passed away today in Dhaka. May Allah grant him a beautiful place in heaven."

AK Khandker is survived by two sons, a daughter and three grandchildren.

Earlier, on June 8, AK Khandker's wife Farida Khandaker died while undergoing treatment at the CMH in Dhaka.

When the Bangladesh Air Force was formed during the Liberation War, Air Vice Marshal AK Khandker became its chief. He received the Swadhinata Padak in 2011 for his contribution to the Liberation War. He also received the title of Bir Uttam.