Tale of a hero

When Col Jamil Uddin preferred loyalty over personal safety

“Bangabandhu is in danger. How can I not go? Look after my daughters”—this was the final request made by Col. Jamil Uddin Ahmad to his wife. He sacrificed his life in trying to save Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the wee hours of August 15, 1975.

East-Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief and then military secretary of Bangabandhu, Col Jamil received a phone call from Bangabandhu after he had been attacked at his own residence on Road 32. The killing of Bangabandhu and most of his family members is the ugliest chapter in the nation’s history. In an exclusive interview with the Independent TV channel, Afroza Jamil Kanka, daughter of Col. Jamil, recalled the day on the occasion of Bangabandhu’s 42nd anniversary of martyrdom.

After getting the phone call from Bangabandhu, Col. Jamil did not waste a single moment. He immediately called senior officers, including then Chief of Army Staff Gen. Shafiullah, and told them to send in troops. He then ordered the Presidential Guard Regiment (PGR), which was entrusted with defending Bangabandhu, and headed towards Road 32 immediately.

Holstering his service revolver calmly, Jamil tried to reassure his wife. “Bangabandhu is in danger. How can I not go? Look after my daughters…,” were his final words as he got into his jeep and headed towards Bangabandhu’s residence, Kanka told this correspondent.

“When my father arrived in front of the Sobhanbagh mosque, he found that the PGR convoy had halted. He demanded to know the reason and was told that there were army units ahead and that there was gunfire. He tried to convince the troops to march forward. Realising that time was running out, he got into his jeep and prepared to drive to Road 32 himself,” Kanka said.

"But the killers shot my father when he was still sitting in the jeep. He sacrificed his life and became a martyr trying to save the Father of the Nation," she added.

It was his strict adherence to duty and unflinching commitment that guided Col. Jamil in the final moments of his life. On a night when many brave souls dithered, Col. Jamil's commitment to his leader did not waver. It was the supreme test of courage that he passed with flying colours.

“Till about 2pm on August 16, 1975, we didn't know anything definite about my father. And then, Gen. Shafiullah made a phone call to my mother to say that her husband was dead. Bangladesh had lost a true patriot,” Kanka recalled.

A man of extraordinary character, Col. Jamil had been held hostage in Pakistan during the Liberation War. But his integrity and professionalism as a career army officer led him to be appointed as military secretary to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in independent Bangladesh.

In 2010, Col. Jamil was promoted posthumously to the rank of Brig. General and awarded Bir Uttam in recognition of his valiant deeds. “My father was an honest officer. I’m proud that my father sacrificed his life for such a great leader,” Kanka said.

She also called upon the Sheikh Hasina government to incorporate his father’s contribution during the Liberation War in textbooks so that children can take inspiration from the valour shown by Col. Jamil.

 

 

 

Tale of a hero

When Col Jamil Uddin preferred loyalty over personal safety

Bangabandhu is in danger. How can I not go? Look after my daughtersthis was the final request made by Col. Jamil Uddin Ahmad to his wife. He sacrificed his life in trying to save Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the wee hours of August 15, 1975. East-Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief and then military secretary of Bangabandhu, Col Jamil received a phone call from Bangabandhu after he had been attacked at his own residence on Road 32. The killing of Bangabandhu and most of his family members is the ugliest chapter in the nations history. In an exclusive interview with the Independent TV channel, Afroza Jamil Kanka, daughter of Col. Jamil, recalled the day on the occasion of Bangabandhus 42nd anniversary of martyrdom. After getting the phone call from Bangabandhu, Col. Jamil did not waste a single moment. He immediately called senior officers, including then Chief of Army Staff Gen. Shafiullah, and told them to send in troops. He then ordered the Presidential Guard Regiment (PGR), which was entrusted with defending Bangabandhu, and headed towards Road 32 immediately. Holstering his service revolver calmly, Jamil tried to reassure his wife. Bangabandhu is in danger. How can I not go? Look after my daughters, were his final words as he got into his jeep and headed towards Bangabandhus residence, Kanka told this correspondent. When my father arrived in front of the Sobhanbagh mosque, he found that the PGR convoy had halted. He demanded to know the reason and was told that there were army units ahead and that there was gunfire. He tried to convince the troops to march forward. Realising that time was running out, he got into his jeep and prepared to drive to Road 32 himself, Kanka said. But the killers shot my father when he was still sitting in the jeep. He sacrificed his life and became a martyr trying to save the Father of the Nation, she added. It was his strict adherence to duty and unflinching commitment that guided Col. Jamil in the final moments of his life. On a night when many brave souls dithered, Col. Jamils commitment to his leader did not waver. It was the supreme test of courage that he passed with flying colours. Till about 2pm on August 16, 1975, we didnt know anything definite about my father. And then, Gen. Shafiullah made a phone call to my mother to say that her husband was dead. Bangladesh had lost a true patriot, Kanka recalled. A man of extraordinary character, Col. Jamil had been held hostage in Pakistan during the Liberation War. But his integrity and professionalism as a career army officer led him to be appointed as military secretary to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in independent Bangladesh. In 2010, Col. Jamil was promoted posthumously to the rank of Brig. General and awarded Bir Uttam in recognition of his valiant deeds. My father was an honest officer. Im proud that my father sacrificed his life for such a great leader, Kanka said. She also called upon the Sheikh Hasina government to incorporate his fathers contribution during the Liberation War in textbooks so that children can take inspiration from the valour shown by Col. Jamil.