Bangladesh war hero to be buried with military honors on Monday

DHAKA - The funeral of Bangladesh war hero Lt. Gen. (retired) Mir Shawkat Ali, who died at his Gulshan residence on Saturday evening, will take place with full military honors on Monday.

“The first namaz-e-janaza will be held at the central office of BNP at Naya Paltan at 10:30 a.m. The second one will be organised in South Plaza of the Parliament at 11:30 a.m., which will be followed by a third one at Dhaka Cantonment Central Mosque,” said Jahan Ara, a relative.

“He will be laid to eternal rest on the same day after Asr prayers,” she added.

Ali was 74 and had been suffering from prolonged illness. His wife and three daughters, who live in London, survive Ali, one of the pioneers of war crimes trial movement.

Mohammad Sohel, a personal aide, said Ali felt chest pain around 6:20 p.m. and asked him for a massage.

“Just five minutes after asking me for massaging, he breathed his last,” the Daily Star quoted Sohel, as saying.

“The doctor came without any delay and declared him dead,” he added.

The war idol would be buried at Banani army graveyard after his wife and daughters’ arrive in Dhaka, said Lt Gen (retired) Harun-Ar-Rashid, former army chief and member secretary of SCF.

Former premier and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain, LDP President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, city Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, members of SCF, freedom fighters and leaders of different political parties paid tribute to deceased general as soon as they heard of his demise.

Ali was born on December 9, 1936 at Nazira Bazar in the city. He joined the 2nd East Bengal Regiment in 1958. In 1971, he revolted against the Pakistan government and was appointed commander of sector-5 during the Liberation War. For his valour he was awarded ‘Bir Uttam’.

Mir Shawkat Ali, widely known as Mir Shawkat, also served as minister during the 91-96 tenure of BNP. (ANI)