Valiant freedom fighter Captain Akram Ahmed Bir Uttam died at Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka yesterday morning.

He was 74.

Captain Akram, who was working as a senior consultant and flight operations inspector at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, had played a brave role as a fighter pilot during the Liberation War, Caab said in a press release.

He left behind his wife, daughter and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.

Captain Akram was hospitalised in early November with Covid-19. He had also been suffering from pneumonia.

He was one of the nine pilots who joined the "Kilo Flight", which caused havoc in enemy territory during the war.

On the night of December 3, Squadron Leader Shamsul Alam and Captain Akram attacked the eastern refinery in Chattogram and destroyed the oil depot.

Simultaneous attacks in Chattogram and Dhaka were made by the valiant "Akash Shainik", in conjunction with the Indian military, against the Pakistan occupation forces.

After the war, Akram joined Biman Bangladesh Airlines as a pilot, flying Dakota DC-3. Later, he flew the F-27 and Boeing 707. He retired when he was a DC-10 pilot.

He was awarded the title of Bir Uttam for his contribution to the Liberation War.

He will be buried at Banani graveyard today after Zohr prayers, with a guard of honour from the Bangladesh Air Force.

State Minister for Civil Aviation M Mahbub Ali and Caab Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mafidir Rahman expressed deep shock at the demise of the brave freedom fighter.