A. K. Khandker

Abdul Karim Khandker, BU (31 October 1930 – 20 December 2025) was a Bangladeshi military officer and politician who served as the first chief of air staff of the Bangladesh Air Force. He was also the Minister of Planning during the Second Hasina ministry. Khandker served as a diplomat during his service days and was the Deputy Chief of Staff of Mukti Bahini during the Bangladesh Liberation War. He completed his matriculation in 1947 and ISC in 1949. He completed his graduation from PAF College in September 1952 and PSA in 1965 from the Pakistan Air Force Staff College. He served in Fighter Squadron till 1955 and became a flying instructor. He was at PAF Academy till 1957 as a flying instructor. He served as flight commander at the Flying Instructors' School till 1958. Later he became flight commander at the Jet Fighter Conversion Squadron, where he served till 1960. The then Bangladesh government of Mujibnagar appointed him as the deputy chief of staff of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, and he was given the responsibility of operation and also training of the freedom fighters. He closely interacted with the senior officials of the Indian Eastern Command located at Fort William, Kolkata, about training strategies for the Freedom Fighters as well as for overall operation. He established the first-ever Bangladesh Air Force in Dimapur, Nagaland, during the war. The Bangladesh Air Force, with its limited manpower and resources of only 9 officers, 57 airmen, and 3 aircraft, carried out significant numbers of operations against the Pakistani forces. He represented Bangladesh in the surrender ceremony of the Pakistani forces to the allied forces on 16 December 1971 at the Racecourse ground. He received the gallantry award of Bir Uttom in 1972 for his luminous role in the Liberation War.

Post liberation war Following the end of the Bangladesh Liberation War, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman appointed Khandker as the chief of air staff of the reconstituted Air Force. by organising sector and sub-sector commanders of the liberation war that waged a strong movement against pro-Jamat and other alleged war criminals. He was awarded the Independence Award for 2011. Khandker was appointed as the Bangladesh high commissioner to Australia and served the mission during 1976–1982. The criticises the role of Awami League leadership during the Liberation, saying that the political leadership had failed to play its due role. He further added that Sheikh Mujib did not declare independence from 7 March until his arrest, did not leave any written notes or recorded voice messages and did not go through any predefined directions.

Khandker also added that, not Ziaur Rahman, but a technician of the East Bengal radio station first announced the declaration on the radio. Then M. A. Hannan, a politician of Awami League, secondly expressed the announcement. Mohammed Nasim said "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman awarded AK Khandaker with the Bir Uttam honours but he (Khandaker) insulted the father of the nation by extending his support to Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made him a minister but now he wrote a book against Bangabandhu."

In response, Khandaker resigned from the Sector Commanders Forum. He was then declared persona non grata in the district of Gazipur and pro-government lawyers demanded withdrawal of all of his titles. As a result of the uproar, he withdrew that part and some other related parts of the book and also formally apologized to the nation for giving wrong information about Sheikh Mujib on 11 August 2019.

Illness and death Abdul Karim Khandker was admitted to Combined Military Hospital (Dhaka) on 7 December 2025 and died from old age complications on 20 December 2025 at the age of 95.

His funeral prayers (namaz-e-janaza) and state funeral parade were held at the BAF Base Bashar Parade Ground (National Parade Ground) in Tejgaon, Dhaka. He was buried at the Shaheen Graveyard with state honors.

Awards and decorations

Bir Uttom (Great Valiant Hero)Sitara-e-Harb 1965 War (War Star 1965)Tamgha-e-Jang 1965 War (War Medal 1965)Tamgha-e-Jamhuria (Republic Commemoration Medal)

1956

Legacy BAF Base Bir Uttom A. K. Khandker was named after him in 2025.