Mir Shawkat Ali

Mir Shawkat Ali (11 January 1938 – 20 November 2010) was a Bangladeshi three-star general and Bangladesh Nationalist Party politician. Shawkat fought during the Bangladesh Liberation War as one of the sector commanders of the Mukti Bahini, for which he was awarded the Bir Uttom, the second-highest gallantry award of Bangladesh. Shawkat later served as the minister of food and the minister of labour and employment during the First Khaleda ministry.

Early life He was born in Nazirabazar, Dacca, of then Bengal Province, British India (now in Dhaka Division, Bangladesh) on 11 January 1938. He studied at Mahuttuli Free Primary School in Dhaka. He graduated from Armanitola Government High School in 1953 and Dhaka College in 1955. After graduation, he joined the Pakistan Military Academy. In 1958, he received his commission in Pakistan Army.

During the 1976 Bogra Mutiny, he pinned down the 9th Infantry Division with the 46th Independent Infantry Brigade. After the 1977 Bangladesh Air Force mutiny, he was posted to the 55th Infantry Division, while his colleague and rival Major General Muhammed Abul Manzur, succeeded him as the chief of general staff. However, after the assassination of President Ziaur Rahman, Manzur contacted him and gave him orders from a "revolutionary council". Ali refused to follow them and remained loyal to the civilian government. President Abdus Sattar appointed Shawkat as principal staff officer of supreme command headquarters, which he served till July 1981. Shawkat was promoted to brevet lieutenant general and went on leave per retirement the same year. He was the vice president of the Sector Commanders Forum.

Death On 20 November 2010, he died in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He was buried with full military honors in the Banani Military graveyard.