Freedom fighter Ziauddin, who headed battles in the Sundarbans during the Liberation War, has died aged 67, reports bdnws24.com.
The retired army major passed away at Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital around 4:30am Friday, his family has said.
He had been suffering from liver ailments for the past two years, his nephew Shahanur Rahman Shamim told bdnews24.com.
He was admitted to Dhaka's Square Hospital after falling ill on Jul 1. He was moved to the Intensive Care Unit, and later taken to Singapore in an air ambulance.
Ziauddin was the commanding officer for the First East Bengal Regiment fighting the 1971 war against Pakistan under Sector-9.
He was the municipality chairman in Pirojpur between 1989 and 1991. Locals often referred to him as the 'Mukuthin Samrat', which translates to 'emperor without a crown'.
The freedom fighter who fought off Pakistani soldiers in the Sundarbans, later started a non-political organisation for the forest's protection.
Ziauddin had been the chairman of Dubla Fisherman Group, and worked to eliminate bandits from the Sundarbans. He was injured during a gun battle with the forest's bandits in 2013.
He authored the book 'Muktijuddhe Sundarban', to provide his narrative of the events that shaped the freedom struggle in the forest region.
Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed their deep shock at the death of Major (retd) Ziauddin Ahmed.
In a condolence message, the President recalled his contributions to the 1971 Liberation War with respect.
He prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his profound sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Ziauddin, who had been suffering from liver ailments, breathed his last at a Singapore hospital in the morning at the age of 67.
In a similar condolence message, the Prime Minister recalled the courageous role of retired Major Ziauddin during the Liberation War with gratitude and respect.
She prayed for the departed soul of the valiant freedom fighter and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family members.
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