Staff Reporter:
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus yesterday joined the namaj-e-janaza of Deputy Chief of Staff of the Bangladesh Liberation War (LW) and first Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Ab-dul Karim Khandkar, Bir Uttam, at BAF Base Bashar Parade Ground in the city and paid his last respect to this LW veteran.
After Johr prayers, Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Base Bashar central mosque Imam conducted the fu-neral prayers attended by advisers of the interim government, chiefs of three services, senior civil and military officials as well as armed forces members.
Prior to the namaj-e-janaza, pallbearers slow marched the coffin to the stage while funeral parade was also held giving a state salute to AK Khandkar.
BAF Biman Secretary Air Vice Marshal Abdullah Al Mamun read the biography of AK Khandaker while AK Khandaker’s son Jafrul Karim Khandaker spoke on the occasion.
After the namaj-e-janaza, on behalf of the President, his Military Secretary paid homage to AK Khan-daker by placing a wreath on his coffin.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus also paid glowing tributes to AK Khandaker by placing an-other wreath on his coffin.
Later, Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam, Bir Protik, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Ha-san Mahmood Khan also paid homage to one of the organizers of the Liberation War AK Khandaker.
A fly past with three BAF helicopters was also displayed paying homage to AK Khandaker.
First Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Abdul Karim Khandkar breathed his last around 10:35 am on Saturday due to age-related complications.
Born on January 1, 1930, Abdul Karim Khandkar – widely known as AK Khandkar – was 95 at the time of his passing.
A distinguished figure in the national history, Khandkar was elected to the Jatiya Sangsad from Pabna-2 constituency in 2009 general elections.
He played a pivotal role in the Liberation War as Deputy Chief of Staff and later served as Bangladesh’s Minister of Planning.
His illustrious career also included diplomatic assignments as Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India and Australia.
