AM Ataul Haque

Lt. AM Ataul Haque, also known as AW Chowdhury , was the first Chief of the Bangladesh Navy, serving until 1972, and a veteran of the Bangladesh Liberation War. A former officer of the Royal Indian Navy, he later joined the Pakistan Navy before defecting in 1971 to participate in the war for Bangladesh’s independence. He played a key role in the post-war formation of the Bangladesh Navy.

Career Haque joined the Royal Indian Navy in 1945. Following the partition of India in 1947, he continued his service in the Pakistan Navy.

Following Bangladesh's victory in December 1971, Haque made significant contributions to the organisation and development of the newly formed Bangladesh Navy. Till April 1972, he was the acting chief of the Bangladesh Navy. They had seven sons and three daughters. His eldest son, Enamul Haque Md. Al Mamun, disappeared on 10 August 2006. His another son, Zulfikar Ali Manik, is a journalist.

Death Haque died on 23 February 1977 from cardiac arrest at the Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka.