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{{Short description|Bir Uttam recipient & Bangladeshi freedom fighter}}
{{similar names|Ziauddin}}
{{Infobox military person
| name = Mohammad Ziauddin Ahmed
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Mohammad Ziauddin Ahmed
| native_name = মোহাম্মদ জিয়াউদ্দিন আহমেদ
| native_name_lang = bn
| nickname = Bachchi
| birth_date = {{Birth date | 1939|11|22|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Chakaria Upazila|Chakaria]], [[Bengal Presidency|Bengal]], [[British Raj|British India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2025|08|05|1939 |11|22|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Chittagong District|Chittagong]], Bangladesh
| allegiance = {{ubl|{{PAK}} (before 1971)|{{BAN}}}}
| branch = {{army|Bangladesh}}<br />{{army|Pakistan}}
| unit = [[East Bengal Regiment]]
| service_years = 1962-1974
| service_number = P. A. - 6489<br />B. A. - 489
| rank = [[Lieutenant Colonel]]
| commands = *Sub-Commander of [[List of sectors in the Bangladesh Liberation War|Sector – I]]
* Sub-Commander of [[List of sectors in the Bangladesh Liberation War|Sector – IV]]
* Deputy Commander of [[Z Force (Bangladesh)|Z Force]]
* CO of [[Senior Tigers|1st East Bengal Regiment]]
* Commander of [[46th Independent Infantry Brigade]]
| battles = {{ubl|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]|[[Bangladesh Liberation War]]}}
| awards = [[Bir Uttom]]<ref>[http://www.molwa.gov.bd/site/page/3f3b7628-3ac7-4927-bf6f-c9203fae601f/Bir-Uttam Bangladesh Gazette of 15 December, 1973; Ministry of Liberation War Affairs]</ref>
| relations = {{ubl|[[Fazlul Karim (lawyer)|Fazlul Karim]] (uncle)}}
}}

'''Mohammad Ziauddin Ahmed''', [[Bir Uttom|BU]] ({{langx|bn|মোহাম্মদ জিয়াউদ্দিন আহমেদ}}; 22 November 1939 – 5 August 2025) <ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/multimedia/country-news/2025/08/05/1558086 |title=বীর মুক্তিযোদ্ধা জিয়াউদ্দিন আহমেদ আর নেই |work=Kaler Kantho |date=5 August 2025 |access-date=6 August 2025 |language=bn}}</ref> was a Bangladeshi military officer who was the [[commanding officer]] of the 1st [[East Bengal Regiment]] during the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]. He was awarded the [[Bir Uttom]], the country's second highest [[gallantry award]] (and the highest military award for living military personnel) for his outstanding [[bravery]] in the Liberation War. His certificate number was 22.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of Bir Uttoms in 1971 |url=http://www.molwa.gov.bd/site/page/3f3b7628-3ac7-4927-bf6f-c9203fae601f/Bir-Uttam |access-date=27 October 2022 |website=[[Ministry of Liberation War Affairs]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Bangladesh Government Gazettes |date=15 December 1973 |publisher=Ministry of Defense, Government of Bangladesh |location=Dhaka |page=Gazettes No-8/25/D-1/72-1378}}</ref>

Ziauddin was the second [[brigade commander]] of the [[46th Independent Infantry Brigade|46 Brigade]], [[Dhaka]]. He was a close associate of Colonel [[Abu Taher]], who was known for his left-wing [[socialist]] views.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Franda |first1=Marcus F. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GfEQAAAAMAAJ&q=Colonel+Mohammad+Ziauddin |title=Bangladesh, the First Decade |last2=Franda |first2=Marcus F. |date=1982 |publisher=South Asian Publishers |isbn=978-0-88333-006-7 |pages=240 |language=en}}</ref>

==Early life==
Ziauddin was born in the village of Harbang of [[Chakaria Upazila]], [[Cox's Bazar District]] (now in [[Chittagong Division|Chittagong]], Bangladesh) on 22 November 1939. His father was Mohammad Quasem and mother was Majida Khatun.

==Career==
===Pakistan Army===
Ziauddin joined the Pakistan Army in 1960. He was commissioned from the 25th PMA Long Course on 21 April 1962 in the 1st East Bengal Regiment. He fought in the [[Indo-Pak War of 1965]] as the adjutant of the 1st East Bengal Regiment. Later he served as the A.D.C. of the [[President of Pakistan]]. In 1968 he served as an instructor in the [[Pakistan Military Academy]].

=== Bangladesh Liberation War ===
When the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] started, Ziauddin deserted the Pakistan Army with Major [[Abu Taher]], Major [[Muhammed Abul Manzur]], and Captain Bazlul Ghani Patwari from [[Abbottabad Cantonment]], crossing the border to Devigarh in India on 25 July 1971 and reaching Delhi on 27 July.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 January 2014 |title=Clandestine killings in the Bangladesh Army |url=https://www.observerbd.com/2014/01/21/2073.php |access-date=27 October 2022 |work=[[The Daily Observer (Bangladesh)]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lifschultz |first=Lawrence |date=2014-02-22 |title=The murder of Major General Abul Manzur, Bir Uttam |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/the-murder-of-major-general-abul-manzur-bir-uttam-12397 |access-date=2022-10-27 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref> Ziauddin and others reached Calcutta on August 7. He was then given the command of the 1st East Bengal Regiment under [[Z Force (Bangladesh)|Z Force]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hossain |first=Md Anwar |date=18 June 2021 |title=Taher, Colonel Abu |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Taher,_Colonel_Abu |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=[[Banglapedia]] |language=en}}</ref> During the Liberation War, Ziauddin was the commanding officer of the 1st [[East Bengal Regiment]] under Sector 1.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-12-17 |title=Bittersweet Victory: A Freedom Fighter's Tale |url=https://archive.dhakatribune.com/uncategorized/2013/12/17/bittersweet-victory-a-freedom-fighters-tale |access-date=2022-09-28 |work=[[Dhaka Tribune]]}}</ref> At the sector commanders conference in October in Calcutta, both Ziauddin and Taher opposed focusing on the [[Bangladesh Army]], encouraging instead more support for [[Irregular military|irregular]] [[militias]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Riaz |first=Ali |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=udSLDwAAQBAJ&dq=lieutenant+colonel+ziauddin&pg=PT62 |title=Bangladesh: A Political History since Independence |year=2016 |publisher=I.B. Tauris |page=36 |isbn=978-1-78672-075-7 |language=en}}</ref> They called for reducing reliance on India for weapons and moving the Mukti Bahini headquarters from India to Bangladesh.<ref name=":0" />

On the afternoon of September 8, a company of the 1st East Bengal Regiment went to Mahendraganj, India. A small team of only platoon and section commanders carried out hit and run operations in Kamalpur. He accompanied and led them in all operations. Most of the operations were [[successful]] and caused [[casualties]] to the [[Pakistani Army]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 May 2021 |title=Major Ziauddin Bir Uttom |url=https://1971.prothomalo.com/freedom-fighters-info/gallantry-awardees/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A6-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%89%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%89%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%AE |access-date=27 October 2022 |website=[[Prothom Alo]]}}</ref>

Ziauddin commanded the unit [[Hamidur Rahman]] served in when they attacked a Pakistan Army camp on the [[Dhalai River]].<ref name=":1" /> Crawling forward to destroy the LMG post, he threw a [[grenade]] at the bunker, causing the LMG to explode. Sepoy Hamidur Rahman was [[martyred]] by another LMG. In the end, Ziauddin ordered them to return to Mohanpur camp due to heavy [[casualties]]. Hamidur Rahman of the [[1st East Bengal Regiment]] was posthumously awarded the [[Bir Sreshtho]], Bangladesh's highest award for valor, for his actions during the [[War|conflict]].<ref name=":1">{{cite news |date=9 December 2014 |title=October 28, 1971 |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/october-28-1971-54190 |access-date=27 October 2022 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-115066 |title=War heroes honoured |work=The Daily Star |date=29 November 2009}}</ref>

Ziauddin was at the forefront of Sylhet's MC College battle on December 13 of the Liberation War. By December 15, Mukti Bahini and joint forces started knocking at Sylhet's front door. In the end, Pakistani forces decided to surrender. [[Pakistani forces]] [[surrendered]] in [[Sylhet]] on December 17 at 3 pm.<ref>{{Cite news |script-title=bn:খেতাবপ্রাপ্ত বীর মুক্তিযোদ্ধা: মোহাম্মদ জিয়াউদ্দিন, বীর উত্তম |url=https://bangla.thedailystar.net/%e0%a6%b8%e0%a6%82%e0%a6%b8%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%95%e0%a7%83%e0%a6%a4%e0%a6%bf/%e0%a6%87%e0%a6%a4%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%b9%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%b8-%e0%a6%90%e0%a6%a4%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%b9%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%af/%e0%a6%87%e0%a6%a4%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%b9%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%b8/%e0%a6%96%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%a4%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%ac%e0%a6%aa%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%b0%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%aa%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%a4-%e0%a6%ac%e0%a7%80%e0%a6%b0-%e0%a6%ae%e0%a7%81%e0%a6%95%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%a4%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%af%e0%a7%8b%e0%a6%a6%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%a7%e0%a6%be-%e0%a6%ae%e0%a7%8b%e0%a6%b9%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%ae%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%ae%e0%a6%a6-%e0%a6%9c%e0%a6%bf%e0%a7%9f%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%89%e0%a6%a6%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%a6%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%a8-%e0%a6%ac%e0%a7%80%e0%a6%b0-%e0%a6%89%e0%a6%a4%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%a4%e0%a6%ae-310346 |work=The Daily Star |date=31 January 2022 |language=bn}}</ref>

=== Bangladesh Army ===
After independence, Ziauddin was promoted to the rank of [[lieutenant colonel]].<ref name=":3" /> Meanwhile, when Indian Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]] visited Bangladesh, Ziauddin gave her a [[guard of honour]].<ref name=":2" /> In 1972, Ziauddin commanded the [[46th Independent Infantry Brigade|46 Brigade]], based in [[Dhaka Cantonment]], with which he suppressed a mutiny by soldiers of the [[Bangladesh Air Force]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Lifschultz |first=Lawrence |year=1977 |title=Abu Taher's Last Testament: Bangladesh: The Unfinished Revolution |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4365850 |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=12 |issue=33/34 |pages=1303–1354 |jstor=4365850 |issn=0012-9976}}</ref> He spoke in favor of socialism to officers under his command.<ref name=":3" /> He and Taher, in charge of the 46th Infantry Brigade, commanded nearly 90 percent of the infantry soldiers of the newly created Bangladesh Army.<ref name=":3" /> In 1972, he destroyed all war loot taken by officers and soldiers under his command during the Bangladesh Liberation War.<ref name=":3" /> Ziauddin argued that military units should be self-sufficient and raise their own food.<ref name=":3" />

After the independence, for two more months of institutional training, a temporary 'Battle School' on the model of Military Academy was established at Kachukshet in Dhaka Cantonment under the 46th Independent Infantry Brigade for the cadets of the Second Bangladesh War Course. Lt. Col. Ziauddin was in charge of this battle school. He himself was engaged in overall supervision of extended training at the Temporary Battle School.<ref>{{Cite news |script-title=bn:ওয়ার কোর্স-স্বাধীনতাযুদ্ধের দূরদর্শী পরিকল্পনা |url=https://www.dailynayadiganta.com/opinion/585676/%E0%A6%93%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B8-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%82%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE |work=Daily Naya Diganta |date=1 June 2021 |type=Opinion |language=bn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202221749/https://www.dailynayadiganta.com/opinion/585676/%E0%A6%93%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B8-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%82%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE |archive-date=2024-12-02}}</ref>

Ziauddin wrote an article in the ''[[Holiday (newspaper)|Holiday]]'' criticizing the government and its treaty with India on 20 August 1972.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Chowdhury |first=R. |date=2019-12-01 |title=Bangladesh: An Enslaved Nation? (Part I) |url=http://southasiajournal.net/bangladesh-an-enslaved-nation-part-i/ |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=South Asia Journal |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Khan |first=Q. M. Jalal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5bUmEAAAQBAJ&dq=Colonel+Mohammad+Ziauddin&pg=PA84 |title=India's Hegemonic Design in Bangladesh |date=2021-02-25 |publisher=Writers Republic LLC |isbn=978-1-63728-158-1 |pages=84 |language=ar}}</ref> He called the treaty a secret agreement and pointed out they had fought the war without Sheikh Mujib, who was in jail in Pakistan, and would fight another if necessary.<ref name=":3" /> He had published the article when Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was outside the country.<ref name=":3" /> The Prime Minister met Ziauddin after returning to the country and demanded an official apology which he refused.<ref name=":3" /> He lost his job for the article. He travelled the country getting to know the people.<ref name=":3" />

In February 1974, Zia dropped all contact and went underground to join Marxist revolutionaries.<ref name=":3" /> He joined the underground [[Purba Banglar Sarbahara Party]] led by [[Siraj Sikder]], which was the most active left wing insurgency in Bangladesh at that time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (1975) - reasons for army's anger towards Sheikh Mujibur Rahman - History of Bangladesh |url=http://www.londoni.co/index.php/26-history-of-bangladesh/1975-assassination-of-sheikh-mujibur-rahman/267-assassination-of-sheikh-mujibur-rahman-1975-reasons-for-army-s-anger-towards-sheikh-mujibur-rahman-history-of-bangladesh |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=londoni.co}}</ref><ref name=":3" />

His colleague, Major [[Mohammad Abdul Jalil]], who shared his left wing views, was also fired from the army.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hossain |first=M. Sanjeeb |title=Know your friends and foes |url=https://bdnews24.com/opinion/comment/know-your-friends-and-foes |access-date=2022-10-27 |work=bdnews24.com |date=2 November 2012 |type=Opinion |language=en}}</ref> Siraj Sikder was killed by Bangladesh police on 2 January 1975 on his way to [[Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini|Rakkhi Bahini]] camp.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Muazzam Hussain |date=18 June 2021 |title=Sikder, Siraj |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Sikder,_Siraj |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=Banglapedia |language=en}}</ref> President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was killed in [[15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état]].<ref name=":3" /> One of the mutineers, Major [[Khandaker Abdur Rashid]], asked Taher and Ziauddin to join the new regime.<ref name=":3" /> Taher asked him remove the death warrant issued against Zaiuddin by the former president.<ref name=":3" /> The new president, [[Khondakar Mustaque Ahmed]], encouraged them to start a political party.<ref name=":3" />

In 1976, Ziauddin was sentenced to ten years imprisonment, while Taher was sentenced to death following the [[7 November 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état]].<ref name=":3" /> The coup paved the way for Major General [[Ziaur Rahman]] to take power.<ref name=":3" />

In 1989, he returned to a normal life under special amnesty. Ziauddin was appointed chairman of [[Chittagong Development Authority]] on 2 September 1993 and served until September 15, 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |title=পূর্বের চেয়ারম্যানগণ |url=https://cda.gov.bd/site/page/583df265-398f-4ca5-a043-fa8c2d256d09/-}}</ref>

He was the founding principal of Chittagong Presidency International School. After the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Lt. Col. Ziauddin was leading a retired life in his home in Chittagong until his death on 5 August 2025.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book |last=Mohosin |first=A K M |year=2022 |title=নির্মোহ এক স্বপ্নযোদ্ধা লে. কর্নেল (অবঃ) জিয়াউদ্দিনের (বীর উত্তম) জীবন কথা |url=https://www.rokomari.com/book/235161/nirmoho-ek-swaponjoddha-lt-coloner-retd-ziyauddin-bir-uttom-jibon-kotha |publisher=Anannya |location=Rokomari |isbn=978-9-849-66454-3}}

{{Bir Uttom}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ziauddin, Mohammad}}
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:2025 deaths]]
[[Category:Mukti Bahini personnel]]
[[Category:Bangladesh Army officers]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi lieutenant colonels]]
[[Category:People from Harbang]]
[[Category:PAF College Sargodha alumni]]
[[Category:Chattogram Collegiate School alumni]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi socialists]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Bir Uttom]]
[[Category:Muslim socialists]]

Mohammad Ziauddin (officer) - Revision history

PaulineBarwell2: started a article v1