Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) A K Khandaker, Bir Uttam, a key figure in Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War and former Chief of Air Staff, passed away on Saturday morning at 10:35 a.m. due to age-related complications, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). He was 95.

Born in Rangpur on January 1, 1930, Khandaker had a distinguished military career that began in the Pakistan Air Force in 1952. During the Liberation War, he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Mukti Bahini under General M.A.G. Osmani and was promoted to Group Captain by the provisional government in November 1971. For his wartime contributions, he was awarded the Independence Award in 2011.

His death marks the passing of one of Bangladesh’s most respected freedom fighters and defense leaders. Tributes are expected from military and political circles, recognizing his pivotal role in shaping the country’s defense forces after independence.