Badrul Alam

Badrul Alam (13 February 1948 – 27 October 2023) was a squadron leader of the Bangladesh Air Force who fought in the Bangladesh War of Independence, for which the government of Bangladesh gave him the Bir Uttam award, the second highest award for individual gallantry in Bangladesh. In 2016, he received the Independence Day Award.

Early life and education Although Alam's ancestral home was Char Barai in Singair Upazila of Manikganj District, he grew up in Dhaka. He completed his matriculation from PAF College Lower Topa in 1965. Later he passed HSC during his training in Pakistan Air Force Academy.

Career He joined the Pakistan Air Force Academy on 22 February 1966. He was commissioned in Pakistan Air Force on 28 January 1968. Until mid-February 1971, he was posted at Sargodha Airbase in Pakistan as a flight lieutenant, after which he was posted to Dhaka. When the war of liberation started, he fled from Dhaka to India in the first half of May. At first, he worked as a staff officer at the Mukti Bahini headquarters, later joining the Bangladesh Air Force when it was formed, and was instrumental in recruiting and training pilots and airmen needed for the Air Force. Besides Godnail, he conducted several other air operations against Pakistani bases and convoys. Alam served in the Bangladesh Air Force until retirement. In 1975, he was sent to force retirement which was effected from March 1980.

Death Badrul Alam died on 27 October 2023, at the age of 75.