Golam Helal Morshed Khan
Allegiance Bangladesh
 Pakistan (Before 1971)
Service/branch Bangladesh Army
 Pakistan Army
Years of service1969-1997
Rank Major General
UnitEast Bengal Regiment
Commands held
Battles/warsBangladesh Liberation War
Awards Bir Bikrom
Other workChairman of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad

Golam Helal Morshed Khan is a retired Major General of the Bangladesh Army and veteran of the Bangladesh Liberation War. He was awarded Bir Bikrom, third highest gallantry award, for his actions in the war.[1] He participated in the 1996 Bangladeshi coup d'état attempt.[2][3]

Career

During the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, Khan was lieutenant in the Mukti Bahini and served in Kalkalia of Sector 3.[4][5] This second was commanded by Major K. M. Shafiullah who was later replaced by Major A. N. M. Nuruzzaman.[4] The neighboring camp was commanded by M Harun-Ar-Rashid who had borrowed weapons from Khan's camp.[6] Khan fought in the battle to liberate Ashuganj in a joint operation between the Indian Army and the Mukti Bahini.[7] He fought in the first and second battle of Belonia.[8]

Khan fought in the Liberation of Mirpur in 1972 as a captain in the 2nd East Bengal Regiment of the Bangladesh Army and commander of Delta Company.[9] After the surrender of Pakistan Army and the independence of Bangladesh, Mirpur was the last stronghold of pro-Pakistan forces.[9] He commanded the Bangladeshi forces composed 82 personnel of Bangladesh Army and 200 personnel of Bangladesh Police.[9] His commanding officer was Major Moinul Hossain Chowdhury who sent Second Lieutenant Selim Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, who was killed in action, to support him.[9][10] The battle saw heavy gunfights between his forces and collaborators of Pakistan Army.[9] After losing 42 army personnel and 82 police personnel Khan retreated from Mirpur to an Indian army base.[9] Mirpur was liberated after reinforcements were sent from different cantonments of Bangladesh.[9]

Major General Khan was the GOC of Bogra Cantonment in 1996.[11][12] He criticised the government following the February 1996 Bangladeshi general election, which was boycotted by all parties except the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party who won,[13] and in response President of Bangladesh Abdur Rahman Biswas sacked him and deputy chief of Bangladesh Rifles, Brigadier General Hameedur Rehman.[11] Army chief general Abu Saleh Mohammed Nasim revolted and launched the failed 1996 Bangladeshi coup d'état attempt with support of troops from Bogra Cantonment.[11] In the June 1996 Bangladeshi general election, the Awami League was elected to power.[13]

Khan is the chairman of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad.[14]

References

  1. ↑ Desk, Countrywide. "Helal for Liberation War spirit in new generations | The Asian Age Online, Bangladesh". The Asian Age. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  2. ↑ "BANGLADESH'S ARMY CHIEF FIRED". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  3. ↑ "Bangladesh ex-army chief arrested". UPI. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  4. 1 2 "::: Star Campus :::". archive.thedailystar.net. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  5. ↑ "Muktijuddho (Bangladesh Liberation War 1971) - Eleven (11) Sectors - History of Bangladesh". www.londoni.co. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  6. ↑ Harun-ar-rashid, M. (2018-03-26). "Operation Kalachara Tea Garden". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  7. ↑ "Ashuganj got freedom in Liberation War today | The Asian Age Online, Bangladesh". The Asian Age. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  8. ↑ Mustafa, FF Ghulam (2017-12-16). "BATTLES OF BELONIA BULGE". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Mirpur: The tale of the last battle". The Business Standard. 2021-12-16. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  10. ↑ Alamgir, Mohiuddin (2021-01-31). "The last battlefield". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  11. 1 2 3 "Bangladeshi President Fires Army Chief". Los Angeles Times. 1996-05-21. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  12. ↑ Alagappa, Muthiah (2001). Coercion and Governance: The Declining Political Role of the Military in Asia. Stanford University Press. p. 223. ISBN 978-0-8047-4227-6.
  13. 1 2 "Shaikh Hasina Takes Over From Khalida Zia in Successful Bangladesh Election". WRMEA. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  14. ↑ Staff Correspondent (2021-03-08). "'We Answered the Call'". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
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