Former Navy chief Sarwar Jahan Nizam dies at 73

Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam, a former chief of Bangladesh Navy staff, has died in hospital care at the age of 73.

He passed away around 9:15am on Friday at the Combined Military Hospital, the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) said in a statement.

Members of the Bangladesh Navy, including the current chief of naval staff, have expressed deep sorrow over his death.

His funeral will be held after Zuhr prayers on Saturday at the Bangladesh Navy Headquarters Mosque, according to the ISPR.

He will be laid to rest at the Banani Military Graveyard with military honours.

Born on Nov 2, 1952, in Chattogram's Anwara Upazila, Nizam was commissioned into the Bangladesh Navy as a sub-lieutenant on Jun 1, 1973.

Over the course of his career, he held several key positions and was appointed chief of naval staff on Feb 10, 2007.

The Bangladesh Navy described him as a patriotic and professional officer who made invaluable contributions to the force’s modernisation and development through his leadership.

He is survived by his wife, daughter, and other family members.

The Bangladesh Navy has prayed for the eternal peace of his soul and conveyed its condolences to the bereaved family.