President mourns death of Bangladesh's first Air Force chief AK Khandker

He has been awarded the Independence Award in 2011 for his role in the Liberation War

President Mohammed Shahabuddin has expressed sorrow at the death of AK Khandker, the deputy chief of staff of the Bangladesh forces during the Liberation War and the country’s first Air Force chief.

He died around 10:30am on Saturday, aged 96.

Khandker was a pioneering figure in the formation of the Bangladesh Air Force during the war of independence. He later held a number of senior positions in both military and civilian life.

He served as an ambassador during the military rule of late president Ziaur Rahman and went on to become planning minister under military strongman HM Ershad.

After the return to parliamentary democracy, Khandker was elected to parliament in 2008 from Pabna as an Awami League candidate. He served as planning minister in Sheikh Hasina’s cabinet for five years.

In recognition of his contributions to the Liberation War, the government awarded him the Independence Award in 2011, the country's highest civilian honour.

He had earlier been awarded the gallantry title of Bir Uttom for his role in the war.