Martyr Altaf Mahmud’s daughter Shaon bursts with joy on news of war criminal Mujahid’s execution

Martyred freedom fighter Altaf Mahmud’s daughter Shaon Mahmud is brimming with joy on hearing the news that Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid has hanged for his war crimes.

Mujahid, who led that notorious Al-Badr force during the Liberation War, had planned the killings of Bengali intellectuals in the dying days of 1971.
 
Shaon was elated to see justice served four decades after her father was killed and termed the development the “biggest accomplishment” of her life.
 
“The execution of the verdict and their appeals for mercy were both significant developments,” Shaon, who lost her father after her third birthday, said.  

Her voice was straining with excitement when she was giving her reaction to bdnews24.com over the phone. She was frequently taking pauses while expressing her feelings.
 

Musician Altaf Mahmud was among the intellectuals who were killed by the Pakistan Army with the help of their collaborators like Al-Badr and Razakars on Dec 16, 1971.  

“By seeking pardon they themselves admitted that war crimes were committed. It’s a big milestone in the war crimes trial,” she said.   

Journalist Mahboob Kamal, who was a witness in the case against Mujahid, said, “Mujahid sought clemency by admitting to his crime.  

“After that, no more evidence is required to establish whether they had committed the crimes. By seeking mercy, they have themselves given the proof of their crimes.”