Bringing back remains of an independence hero

Dhaka: Thirty-five years ago, an air force officer from East Pakistan tried to defect in his military jet from the western city of Karachi to join an independence war raging in his remote homeland.

His co-pilot who opposed independence for what later became Bangladesh forced the jet to crash, martyring them both, but for rival countries.

Yesterday, the pilot's remains were finally being returned home, accompanied by a six-member official team from Bangladesh for a state funeral with the highest honours.

Good relations

Following Bangladesh's split from Pakistan in the 1971 civil war, the two governments have sustained generally good relations but enmity remains among many Bangladeshis. Pakistan hopes the return of the body will foster goodwill.

The remains of M. Matiur Rahman, then a commissioned air force officer, were expected to reach Dhaka's Zia International Airport from Pakistan later yesterday by a special flight of the state-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines, said Matiur's widow Milly Rahman.

"It's going to be a special day for the nation," she said. "The son of this soil is coming back, I am grateful to all for making it true."

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is expected to receive the coffin at the airport where all three wings of the defence forces the Army, the Navy and the Air Force will pay tribute, said an official of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs on condition of anonymity, in line with policy.

Public viewing

The coffin will be kept at a military base near Dhaka for public viewing today, and his remains will be buried with state honours today alongside other independence heroes, the official said. Bangladesh had asked Pakistan to return Rahman's remains after a request by his family, the official said.

Rahman died on August 20, 1971, in a plane crash as he tried to flee Karachi, Pakistan, across India to East Pakistan in an air force training craft. India had sealed its land border during the war. Rahman was training the second pilot, Rashid Minhas, when he made his escape attempt.