Veteran pilot Bir Uttam Captain Akram Ahmed has died of Covid-19 at a hospital in Dhaka at the age of 74.
Captain Akram breathed his last while undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital around 11:45am on Monday, said a press release of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).
The war hero had been serving as a contractual senior consultant at the CAAB since October 2007.
He is survived by his wife, a daughter, and host of relatives, friends, and well-wishers to mourn his death.
He was an active member of the historic Kilo Flight, the code name for the Mukti Bahini combat aviation formation during the Liberation War in 1971. Kilo Flight caused havoc behind enemy territory during the War of Independence.
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed profound shock and sorrow at the demise of the Kilo Flight pilot and valiant freedom fighter.
In his message of condolence, the president said the heroic role of Captain Akram Ahmed accelerated Bangladesh's victory during the Liberation War.
"The nation will forever remember his contribution to the great Liberation War with respect."
In another message of condolence, the premier recalled with great gratitude the bold and unique contribution of the fearless freedom fighter in forming the Bangladesh Air Force and to the Liberation War.
Both the president and the prime minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali also mourned the death alongside several other cabinet members.
On the night of December 3, Squadron Leader Shamsul Alam and Captain Akram Ahmed attacked the eastern refinery in Chittagong and destroyed the oil depot, reports BSS.
The simultaneous attacks in Chittagong and Dhaka by the valiant "Akash Shainik" marked the declaration of war, in conjunction with the Indian military, against Pakistan occupational forces.
After the Liberation War, Akram joined Biman Bangladesh Airlines as a pilot, flying Dakota DC-3. Later, he flew the F-27, Boeing 707, and formally retired from DC-10.
He was awarded the title of Bir Uttam, the second highest award for individual gallantry in Bangladesh for his role in 1971.
He will be buried at Banani graveyard in the capital on Tuesday after the Zuhr prayers, with a guard of honour from the Bangladesh Air Force.