AM Ataul Haque

Lt. AM Ataul Haque, also known as AW Chowdhury , was the first Chief of the Bangladesh Navy, serving until 1972, and a veteran of the Bangladesh Liberation War.[1] A former officer of the Royal Indian Navy, he later joined the Pakistan Navy before defecting in 1971 to participate in the war for Bangladesh’s independence. He played a key role in the post-war formation of the Bangladesh Navy.[2]

Career

Haque joined the Royal Indian Navy in 1945.[3] Following the partition of India in 1947, he continued his service in the Pakistan Navy.[3]

After the start of the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, Haque renounced his allegiance to the Pakistan Navy and joined Bangladesh’s independence war.[3] His defection was part of a broader wave of Bengali military personnel who sided with the Mukti Bahini.[3] He served in Sector 10, the naval sector, during the war.[4]

Following Bangladesh's victory in December 1971, Haque made significant contributions to the organisation and development of the newly formed Bangladesh Navy.[3][5] Till April 1972, he was the acting chief of the Bangladesh Navy.[2]

Personal life

Haque was married to Begum Fazilatunnessa.[6] They had seven sons and three daughters.[6] His eldest son, Enamul Haque Md. Al Mamun, disappeared on 10 August 2006.[6] His another son, Zulfikar Ali Manik, is a journalist.[6]

Death

Haque died on 23 February 1977 from cardiac arrest at the Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Ataul Haque's 34th death anniv today". today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
  2. ^ a b "Death anniversary". The Daily Star. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "43rd death anniv of Lt AM Ataul Haque". The Daily Star. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  4. ^ "War of Liberation, The - Banglapedia". en.banglapedia.org. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
  5. ^ "44th death anniv of AM Ataul Haque". The Daily Star. 2021-02-23. Archived from the original on 2021-02-28. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
  6. ^ a b c d "Missing". today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
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