A Martyr's Sacrifice

It is an extraordinary honor to sacrifice one's life for one's country. A distinction that Matiur Rahman attained. For his unparalleled bravery and valor during the Liberation War, he was bestowed the title of Bir Shrestha, the highest military honor in Bangladesh.

Born on October 29, 1941, in the historic city of Old Dhaka, Matiur Rahman embarked on his military career by joining the Air Force in 1961. His life took a dramatic turn in February 1971 when he witnessed the horrific events of Operation Searchlight. Deeply disturbed by the atrocities, he fearlessly protested and led demonstrations against the oppressive regime.

To continue his service, he returned to Pakistan. However, destiny had a different plan. On August 20, 1971, his student, Rashed Minhaj Rashed, attempted to hijack a plane at the Mauripur Air Base. In a tragic twist of fate, Rashed informed the control tower that Matiur Rahman was the hijacker. This led to a deadly pursuit by four fighter jets from Mauripur. During the ensuing aerial confrontation, Rashed's plane collided with one of the pursuing jets, resulting in the tragic deaths of both individuals. The Pakistani government, in a cynical move, posthumously awarded Rashed an honorary title.

Matiur Rahman's mortal remains were laid to rest in a humble, fourth-class graveyard in Karachi. The inscription was his grave written, "Idhar So Raha Hai Ek Gaddar" (Here Lies a Traitor), which is a stark reminder of injustice to him and this is very painful for us.

On June 25, 2006, his remains were finally repatriated to Bangladesh. A nation mourned the loss of its hero and paid its respects by burying him in the Mirpur Shaheed Intellectuals Graveyard, a fitting final resting place for a man who gave his life for the freedom of his homeland.

Matiur Rahman's sacrifice serves as an enduring inspiration, reminding us of the ultimate price of liberty. His name will forever be etched in the annals of Bangladesh's history, a symbol of courage, patriotism, and the indomitable spirit of a nation.