Khaled Mosharraf

Khaled Mosharraf, Bir Uttom (Bengali: খালেদ মোশাররফ) (9 November 1937 – 7 November 1975) was a Bangladeshi military officer known for his role in the Bangladesh Liberation war. He was arguably the most valiant of the military leaders of Bangladesh War of Independence. Khaled was the Sector Commander of Bangladesh Forces Sector 2, leader of the Crack Platoon and K Force (Bangladesh) Brigade Commander during the Bangladesh War of Independence. He fought heroically for Bangladesh's independence and was wounded in front line combat against the Pakistan Army. Under his command K-Force played a crucial role in the unconditional surrender of the Pakistani Army on 16 December 1971. On 23 October, while commanding an operation of the K-Force, Khaled Mosharraf was gravely wounded by enemy fire and required a long period of recovery. Although he suffered a bullet injury, he recovered and remained in command of Bangladesh Forces Sector 2. He is best known as an exceptional combatant who had planned and carried out guerrilla warfare from deep within the jungles of Melaghar. More than thirty five thousand guerilla fighters fought under Khaled's command in sector 2. Following independence, he was raised to the rank of Major General– the highest rank in the army at that time –and appointed Chief of Army Staff. He was awarded Bir Uttam for his gallantry actions during the war. Mosharraf led 3 November 1975 Bangladesh coup d'état against the Mushtaq Administration who had conspired and seized power in Bangladesh in 1975 post the assassination of Bangladesh President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, but during the military uprising on 7 November, he was himself overthrown and assassinated.