A funeral parade for Flight Lieutenant Md Towkir Islam of the Bangladesh Air Force was held with full military honours on Tuesday at BAF Base Bir Uttam AK Khandakar following his tragic death in a fighter jet crash in Uttara Milestone School and College.
On Monday a BAF FT-7 BGI fighter aircraft took off from BAF Base Bir Uttam AK Khandakar in Dhaka as part of a routine training exercise when it encountered a technical malfunction, according to an ISPR release issued on Tuesday.
In a valiant effort to avoid civilian casualties, Towkir Islam maneuvered the aircraft away from densely populated areas.
Despite his efforts, the aircraft ultimately crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Diabari.
Injured individuals were immediately taken to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and nearby hospitals with the help of BAF helicopters and ambulances.
Milestone tragedy: Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam laid to eternal rest
Despite maximum efforts by the medical team, Flt Lt Toukir Islam was declared dead.
He was 27 years old at the time of his passing. He is survived by his parents, wife, and a host of admirers.
A first namaz-e-janaza and guard of honour were held on Tuesday at the parade ground of BAF Base Bir Uttam AK Khandakar.
Adviser to the Ministry of Home Affairs Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Choudhury was present at the ceremony.
On behalf of the Army, Navy, and Air Force Chiefs, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) laid floral wreaths on the coffin of the deceased pilot.
Family members of Towkir Islam, senior military officials and personnel of various ranks also attended the funeral.
He was later laid to rest with full state honours at a cemetery in Rajshahi.
Interim Government Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus expressed deep sorrow over the untimely demise and prayed for the departed soul, extending condolences to the bereaved family. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan also expressed his profound sympathy and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.
Towkir Islam born on November 9, 1997, in Sapura village of Boalia upazila, Rajshahi, Toukir was a bright student and cadet. He passed SSC in 2014 and HSC in 2016 from Pabna Cadet College and earned a BSc in Aeronautics from the Bangladesh University of Professionals in 2020.
Towkir joined the Bangladesh Air Force on December 22, 2016, and was commissioned into the General Duties (Pilot) branch on December 1, 2019. During his career spanning 5 years, 7 months, and 21 days, he served in multiple flying squadrons, including Squadron 15 and Squadron 35, where he held roles as a squadron pilot and adjutant.
He completed numerous professional courses at home and abroad, including basic flying and fighter conversion, aerospace physiology, air intelligence, electronic warfare, watermanship, and flight commander training. Notably, he also completed an operational training in aerospace medicine (fighter) in India.
Towkir Islam will be remembered as a dedicated and courageous officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.