Remembering Major Ziauddin Ahmed: Hero of the Liberation War

The history of Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War is defined by courageous leaders whose sacrifices shaped the nation’s destiny, yet many of their stories remain under-represented in mainstream discourse. Among these distinguished figures was Major (retired) Ziauddin Ahmed, a formidable freedom fighter, sub-sector commander, organizer, and unwavering ally to the coastal fishing communities of the Sundarbans. From the battlefield to his final years, he dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice, human dignity, and patriot service.

Born in December 1950 into a prominent family in Pirojpur town, Major Ziauddin was the son of Advocate Aftabuddin Ahmed, a former chairman of the Pirojpur Municipality. Demonstrating early leadership qualities, he was elected president of the Pirojpur Chhatra Union in 1968. The following year, he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Pakistan Army.

When the Liberation War broke out in March 1971, he was stationed in West Pakistan. Risking his life, he escaped to India to join the independence struggle. Recognising his tactical skill, the military command appointed him commander of the Sundarbans sub-sector under Sector 9. Under his leadership, Bengali fighters executed a series of successful guerrilla operations and direct confrontations across the coastal belt, including Mongla, Sharankhola, Bagerhat, and the vast tracts of the Sundarbans.

A pivotal chapter of his military career occurred in August 1971. Starting on 16 August, Major Ziauddin led a relentless 12-day operation that destroyed multiple enemy vessels and completely disrupted the supply lines of the Pakistani forces in the southern coastal region. His mastery of coastal warfare earned him immense respect among his troops and cemented his reputation as a legendary field commander.

Following independence, he resumed his service in the Bangladesh Army and was subsequently promoted to the rank of Major. During the political upheavals of November 1975, he was serving in the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) in Dhaka. In the aftermath of the 7 November events, he became associated with Colonel Abu Taher’s political circle. He was subsequently arrested, tried by a military tribunal, and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was eventually released in 1980 under a presidential amnesty.

After a brief period in Singapore in 1983, Major Ziauddin returned to Bangladesh and embarked on an entirely different struggle in the remote coastal regions. Settling in Dublar Char within the Sundarbans, he organised local fishermen who were routinely exploited by forest bandits and pirates. He played a key role in developing the local dried-fish industry, serving for many years as the chairman of the Dubla Fishermen Group. Concurrently, he launched “Sundarban Bachao”, a non-political initiative dedicated to protecting the fragile biodiversity of the mangrove forest and safeguarding the rights of marginalized coastal inhabitants.

His uncompromising stance against criminal syndicates made him a frequent target of death threats and armed ambushes, yet he refused to abandon his mission. His brave defense of the local populace turned him into a revered figure throughout the southwestern coastal belt.

Major Ziauddin documented his wartime experiences and the history of the conflict in the southwestern region in his acclaimed book, Sundarban Samare O Sushamay, which remains an essential historical text on coastal warfare in 1971.

On 28 July 2017, Major Ziauddin passed away whilst undergoing treatment at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore. On his death anniversary, his legacy endures as a powerful testament to patriotism, courage, and lifelong commitment to the marginalized communities of Bangladesh.