Bangladesh honors Bir Shreshtha Ruhul Amin and Bir Bikrom Mohibullah on 54th martyrdom anniversary. Photo : Collage

KHULNA, Dec 9, 2025 (BSS) - The nation will observe the 54th martyrdom anniversary of Bir Shreshtha Ruhul Amin, one of the seven highest gallantry award recipients of the Liberation War, tomorrow.

To mark the anniversary, the Bangladesh Navy in Khulna has arranged programmes including laying wreaths at the graves, discussions on their heroism, doa mahfil, and recitation from the Holy Quran.

On this day in 1971, just six days before victory, Engine Room Artificer Ruhul Amin of Bangladesh Naval Ship (BNS) Palash was killed on the bank of the Rupsha River after swimming nearly a quarter kilometre to shore following an air attack on the vessel.

Earlier that day, BNS Palash captured Mongla Port from Pakistani occupation forces after a fierce gun battle and was advancing towards Khulna to liberate the industrial city. 

As the ship approached the Shipyard area, a fighter aircraft bombed it, killing Mohibullah, Bir Bikrom, on the spot. The remaining naval personnel jumped into the Rupsha River to escape the explosion.

Although Ruhul Amin survived the bombing, he was later killed by anti-liberation forces who collaborated with the Pakistani forces.

Ruhul Amin and Mohibullah were buried the next day at Bagmara village under East Rupsha. In 1997, the Khulna Development Authority built a memorial complex around their graves. The Bangladesh Navy has been supervising the complex since its handover by the KDA.