The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Former Army Chief Gen (retd) Mustafizur Rahman died at Dhaka Combined Military Hospital (CMH) early on Sunday. He was 70.

Mustafiz, who was decorated with gallantry title Bir Bikram as a valiant freedom fighter, had been suffering from pancreatic cancer. He breathed his last at about 5am.

He left behind his wife, three daughters and a host of friends and relations and well-wishers to mourn his death.

General Mustafiz passed away at a time when he was on trial as one of the co-accused with former Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina in the MiG-29 scam case.

Police arrested him at a city hospital, where he was undergoing treatment, in connection with the case on May 25 this year, as a purge against corruption has been underway in the interim period.

A special court on May 28 granted bail to the ailing former Army Chief. Later, on July 16, the court exempted him from personal appearance in the special trial court.

The now-defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption (BAC) filed the case in December 2001 against Sheikh Hasina and six others, including Gen (retd) Mustafiz.

He had served as Army Chief for about three years during the last regime of Awami League.

On December 18, 2000, the then government had promoted Army Chief Lieutenant General Mustafizur Rahman to a full-fledged four-star general on the day of his retirement.

Meanwhile, his first Namaj-e-Janaza was held at the Central Army Mosque at Dhaka Cantonment at 11am while the second at Mohakhali DOHS after Zohr prayers. He was buried at Banani Military Graveyard with state honours at 5 pm.

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser of the caretaker government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed expressed "deep shock" at the death of the former Army Chief.

In a condolence message, the President recalled the long checkered life of Gen (retd) Mustafizur Rahman and said that he had contributed a lot to establishing the independent and sovereign Bangladesh by actively participating in the Liberation War 1971.

"The nation will always remember his contribution in developing Bangladesh Army and the country through his skill and working experience," he said.

He prayed for salvation of the departed soul and also conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family members.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed expressed his profound shock and sorrow at the death of former Army Chief of Staff, General (retd) Muhammad Mustafizur Rahman, Bir Bikram.

Dr Fakhruddin, currently visiting Colombo for attending the SAARC Summit, conveyed his deep sympathy to the members of the bereaved family.

The chief adviser also prayed for peace of the departed soul.

Speaker Barrister M Jamiruddin Sircar and Deputy Speaker Akhter Hamid Siddiqui also condoled on the death of Gen Mustafiz.

In a joint condolence message, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker recalled contribution of the former Chief Army to national life as a "patriotic military official and freedom fighter".