Akram Ahmed

Akram Ahmed, BU (7 January 1946 – 7 December 2020) was a veteran of the Bangladesh Liberation War as a pilot as part of Operation Kilo Flight, the beginning of the Bangladesh Air Force. For his bravery in the war, the government of Bangladesh awarded him the title of Bir Uttom, one of a few civilians to have received the award.

Early life Akram Ahmed was born on 09 January 1946 in an aristocratic Bengali Muslim family in Jashore. In 1967, he was licensed as a commercial pilot. In April 1968, he joined Pakistan International Airlines as a pilot. He left for India on 07 April 1971 to participate in the War of Liberation.

After midnight on 2 December 1971, Ahmed flew a small plane from an Indian airport to Bangladesh. He was accompanied by Shamsul Alam. Their target was the oil depot in Chittagong Port. They arrived at their target after flying for about three hours. They successfully bombed the airport with no navigation equipment except a compass.

After the Bangladesh Liberation War ended, Ahmed joined Bangladesh Biman, the national airline of Bangladesh. He was active in the Nirmul Committee. He was hospitalized with pneumonia after catching COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. He was buried in Banani graveyard with a guard of honor provided by the Bangladesh Air Force.