Adviser Faruk E Azam, Bir Pratik and AK Khandker, Bir Uttam. Photo collage : BSS

DHAKA, Dec 20, 2025 (BSS) – Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam, Bir Pratik today expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of heroic freedom fighter and Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Abdul Karim Khandker, best known as AK Khandker, Bir Uttam.

In a condolence message, the adviser recalled that Air Vice Marshal Abdul Karim Khandker was serving as Second-in-Command at the Pakistan Air Force base in Dhaka in 1971. 

“When the War of Liberation began, he left Dhaka on May 12, 1971, for Tripura to join the Liberation War and reached Motinagar on May 15”, he mentioned.

Faruk said the then  Mujibnagar Government  appointed him Deputy Chief of Staff of the Mukti Bahini, adding that under his leadership, the historic operations of the Bangladesh Air Force’s “Kilo Flight” were successfully carried out in September,1971. 

For his gallant and outstanding contribution to the Liberation War, he was awarded the state gallantry award “Bir Uttam” in 1972, the Liberation War Adviser said.

Faruk further noted that A K Khandker served as Adviser to the President in 1986 and was later elected as a Member of Parliament. 

He also successfully discharged his responsibilities as Minister of the Planning, Ministry of the Government of Bangladesh, he added.

In recognition of his exceptional role in   the Liberation War as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Mukti Bahini, his contribution to building the Bangladesh Air Force into a disciplined and effective force after independence and his lifelong dedication to nation-building while holding various important state positions, he was awarded the Independence Award (Swadhinata Puroskar) in 2011, the adviser said.

Describing him as an exemplary professional and a role-model aviator, the adviser said that as the first Chief of the Bangladesh Air Force, this valiant freedom fighter carried out his duties with the highest level of honesty, dedication and efficiency, Faruk said. 

In honour of his outstanding contributions, one of the most important bases of the Bangladesh Air Force has been named after him, he said. 

He added that the nation will remember his contributions with deep respect in the years to come.

Faruk E Azam prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of the late Khandker and expressed heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family members.

AK Khandker breathed his last while undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka at 10:35 am today due to old age complications.

He was about 95 years old. 

He is survived by two sons, one daughter and a host of relatives and admirers.