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Published : 04 Jul 2026, 10:14 PM
While fighting for his birthplace during the 1971 Liberation War, 20-year-old Monnas Ali of Netrokona’s Durgapur Upazila was shot in the abdomen by the Pakistani occupation forces.
He, however, survived despite bleeding profusely. But the bullet remained lodged in his body for 55 years, causing him to suffer immensely over the decades.
Financial hardship coupled with tomophobia continued adding to his woes.
The bullet was finally removed at Durgapur Upazila Health Complex on Sunday afternoon after the pain had reached an unbearable level in recent months.
SM Tanzirul Islam Rayhan, the health facility’s resident medical officer, said the freedom fighter had been kept under their observation.
He is now in good health, said Rayhan, who led the surgery.
Relatives of Monnas said the Pakistani Army had set up a camp in Durgapur in 1971. At that time, a freedom fighter from Gaonkandiya Union killed three Pakistani soldiers and buried them.
To avenge the killings, Pakistani forces launched a massive attack on nearby villages and arrested more than 50 locals. They were later locked inside a house, set on fire from outside, and shot indiscriminately.
Most of them were killed while only a few, including Monnas, managed to flee, the relatives said.
But a bullet fired by the Pakistani Army pierced his stomach, they added.
His son Abul Hossain said, "My father used to be sick most of the time. We couldn't get him treated due to lack of money.
“My father was also afraid of having the bullet removed.”
Dr Rayhan said they had performed the surgery completely free of cost and informed the police of the development.
