‘Liberation War hero AK Khandker’s role in 1971 Pakistani surrender’

Staff Reporter :

Air Vice Marshal (retd) A.K. Khandker, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Mukti Bahini, represented Bangladesh forces at the historic Pakistani Instrument of Surrender on December 16, 1971, at Dhaka’s Ramna Race Course (now Suhrawardy Udyan).

He stood alongside Indian Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora as Pakistan’s Lt. Gen. A.A.K. Niazi signed the document, formally ending the Bangladesh Liberation War and leading to the surrender of 93,000 Pakistani troops-the largest since World War II.

Khandker’s presence symbolized the Mukti Bahini’s crucial contribution to victory, marking a glorious moment in Bangladesh’s independence amid celebrations by crowds at the site.

This role, combined with his defection from the Pakistan Air Force and leadership in rebuilding the Bangladesh Air Force, cemented his legacy as a key architect of the nation’s freedom.

AK Khandker stands as one of the foremost heroic commanders of the Great Liberation War, whose leadership, courage, and strategic acumen played a decisive role in securing Bangladesh’s independence.

As Deputy Chief of Staff of the Mukti Bahini, he made unparalleled contributions to the war effort. Later, as the first Chief of the Bangladesh Air Force, he led the reconstruction of the war-ravaged force with vision and resolve-a memorable chapter in the nation’s history of nation-building.

His presence as a Mukti Bahini representative at the historic surrender of Pakistani forces at Dhaka’s Racecourse Maidan on December 16, 1971, marked a glorious moment in Bangladesh’s history.

AK Khandker was not only a valiant freedom fighter and distinguished military officer but also a wise patriot and conscientious chronicler of history. He later served Bangladesh with distinction as an ambassador in several countries.