Syed Abdul Hai
Syed Abdul Hai was a Bengali officer in Pakistan Army who was killed in the Bangladesh Liberation War by Pakistan Army. He is considered a martyr in Bangladesh.[1]
Early life
[edit]Hai was born in Miyabari, Sherpur District.[1] He graduated from Sherpur Memorial High School and Jagannath College in 1940.[1] He studied at Lytton Medical School and Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata.[1]
Career
[edit]Hai was commission in 1950 in the Army Medical Corps of the Pakistan Army.[2]
From 1965 to 1969, Hai was deputed from Pakistan Army to the Ghana Army.[3] He returned to Pakistan in 1969 and was appointed the commanding officer of the 7th Field Ambulance unit based in Jessore Cantonment as part of the 107 Brigade.[3][2] He unit was involved in relief operations after the 12 November 1970 Bhola cyclone.[3][4]
During the non-cooperation movement, Hai used the flag of pro-independence movement in his car which was reported to station commander, Brigadier Abdul Rahim Durrani.[3] He had also made contact with Awami League politicians.[2][5] After Operation Searchlight was launched starting the Bangladesh Liberation War, the Pakistan Army disarmed the 1st East Bengal and its Bengali commander, Lieutenant Colonel Jalil.[3]
Death
[edit]On 30 March 1971, Hai was killed by soldiers of the 27th Baloch Regiment and 22nd Frontier Force Regiment commanded by Captain Mumtaz.[3] He was buried in Azimpur graveyard.[3] Captain Abul Kalam Sheikh was also killed at the same time.[1] The Bengali soldiers led by Captain Hafizuddin Ahmed fought back against the Baloch and Frontier regiments.[2]
Personal life
[edit]Hai was married to Naseem.[3] They had three sons.[2] His brother in law, Enam Ahmed Chaudhary, was the Chairman of the Bangladesh Privatisation Commission and advisor to former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.[3][6] His sister is law, Nina Ahmed, is married to former Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed.[6] His other brother in law, Faruq Ahmed Choudhury, was the foreign secretary of Bangladesh and the other, Iftekhar Ahmed Choudhury, is a former advisor in charge of the ministry of Foreign Affairs.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e ডা. সৈয়দ আবদুল হাই. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 2023-03-15.
- ^ a b c d e Hai, Ashfaque (2021-03-27). "My father laid down his life for our freedom. I couldn't be prouder of him". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Chaudhary, Enam Ahmed (2022-03-26). "Remembering Shaheed Lt Col Syed Abdul Hai". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
- ^ আমাদের মুক্তিযুদ্ধ শুরু হয়ে গেছে. দেশ রূপান্তর. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
- ^ "Lt Col Syed Abdul Hai Remembered with Respect". VOA (in Bengali). Retrieved 2023-03-15.
- ^ a b c "Faruq Ahmed Choudhury passes away". The Daily Star. 2017-05-18. Retrieved 2023-03-15.