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{{short description|Bangladeshi military officer}}
{{short description|Bangladeshi military officer}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Other uses}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2015}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2022}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
|honorific_prefix = [[Bir Uttom]]
| honorific_prefix   = [[Lieutenant Colonel]]
|name             = Abu Taher
| name               = Abu Taher
|image           = Abu Taher.jpg
| honorific_suffix  = [[Bir Uttom]]
|imagesize       = 110px
| image             = Abu Taher.jpg
|native_name     = আবু তাহের
| imagesize         = 110px
|native_name_lang = bn
| native_name       = আবু তাহের
|birth_date       = {{birth date|1938|11|14|df=yes}}
| native_name_lang   = bn
|birth_place     = [[Badarpur, Assam|Badarpur]], [[Sylhet]], [[Assam]], [[British Raj|British India]]
| birth_date         = {{birth date|1938|11|14|df=yes}}
|death_date       = {{death date and age|1976|7|21|1938|11|14|df=yes}}
| birth_place       = [[Badarpur, Assam|Badarpur]], [[Sylhet]], [[Assam]], [[British Empire|British India]]
|death_place     = [[Old Dhaka Central Jail|Dhaka Central Jail]], [[Dhaka]], Bangladesh
| death_date         = {{death date and age|1976|7|21|1938|11|14|df=yes}}
|death_cause     = Execution by [[hanging]]
| death_place       = [[Old Dhaka Central Jail|Dhaka Central Jail]], [[Dhaka]], Bangladesh
|alma_mater       = [[Murari Chand College]]
| death_cause       = [[Execution]] by [[hanging]]
|party           = [[Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal]]
| alma_mater         = [[Murari Chand College]]
|spouse           = [[Lutfa Taher]]<ref>{{Cite news |script-title=bn:আজ আমি আনন্দিত, আমি গর্বিত : লুৎফা তাহের |url=https://www.banglanews24.com/national/news/bd/33653.details#1 |work=banglanews24.com |language=bn |access-date=4 January 2022}}</ref>
| party             = [[Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal]]
|children         = 3
| spouse             = [[Lutfa Taher]]<ref>{{Cite news |script-title=bn:আজ আমি আনন্দিত, আমি গর্বিত : লুৎফা তাহের |url=https://www.banglanews24.com/national/news/bd/33653.details#1 |work=banglanews24.com |language=bn |access-date=4 January 2022}}</ref>
|relations       = [[M. Anwar Hossain]] (brother)
| children           = 3
|module       =  
| relations         = [[M. Anwar Hossain]]<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://bangladeshonrecord.com/colonel-tahers-unfinished-revolution/#.Yf9n3P5ByUk | title=Colonel Taher's unfinished revolution | date=31 January 2022 }}</ref> (brother)
  {{Infobox military person
| module             = {{Infobox military person
   |embed        = yes
   |embed        = yes
   |allegiance  = {{flag|Bangladesh}}<br />{{flag|Pakistan}} (before 1971)
   |allegiance  = {{flag|Bangladesh}}<br />{{flag|Pakistan}} (before 1971)
   |branch      = {{army|Pakistan}}<br />{{nowrap| [[File:Flag of the Bangladesh Army.svg|23px|Bangladesh Army seal]] [[Bangladesh Army]]}}
   |branch      = {{army|Pakistan}}<br />{{nowrap| [[File:Flag of the Bangladesh Army.svg|23px|Bangladesh Army seal]] [[Bangladesh Army]]}}
   |serviceyears = 1962–1971 (Pakistan)<br /> 1971-1972(Bangladesh)
   |serviceyears = 1962–1971 [[Pakistan]]<br /> 1971-1972 [[Bangladesh]]
   |rank        = [[Lieutenant Colonel]]
   |rank        = [[Lieutenant Colonel]]  
   |commands    = Sector commander of Sector 11
   |commands    = Sector commander of Sector 11
   |battles      = [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]
   |battles      = [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]
   |awards      = [[Bir Uttom]]<ref name="Two epoch-making verdicts"/><ref name=bpedia/> Maroon Parachute Wing
   |awards      = {{flagicon image|Bir Uttom ribbon bar.svg|20px}} [[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><ref name="Two epoch-making verdicts"/><ref name=bpedia/> Maroon Parachute Wing
   }}
   }}
}}
}}


'''Abu Taher ''' ({{lang-bn|আবু তাহের}}) (14 November 1938 – 21 July 1976) was a Bengali [[military service]]man, who served in the Pakistani Army, and for a brief period in [[Bangladesh Forces|BDF]],  
'''Abu Taher ''' ({{lang-bn|আবু তাহের}}) (14 November 1938 – 21 July 1976) was a [[Bengalis|Bengali]] [[military service]]man, who served in the [[Pakistan Army]], and later in [[Bangladesh Forces|BDF]]. He crossed into India around early August and reported to the Indian authorities. After a week screening at [[Dehradun|Dehradun, India]], Taher reported to [[Kolkata]], [[Provisional Government of Bangladesh|Bangladesh Provincial government]] at 8 Theatre Rd. He was ordered to report to Sector 11 of [[Mukti Bahini]] under command of Major [[Ziaur Rahman]], he became the sector commander after him. He served in [[Mukti Bahini|BDF]] from end of August to 2 November 1971. He was awarded the medal [[Bir Uttom]] for his gallantry in the liberation war. He was released from military service by Indian military medical board in [[Pune]], India after his leg was amputated. After independence, he was inducted into the Bangladesh Army for administrative retirement with legacy rank of [[Lieutenant colonel|Lieutenant Colonel]]. After settling in with family, the government of [[Bangladesh]] appointed him with employment at Kumilla. Later Taher turned into a political activist and leader of the left-wing [[Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal]].<ref name="Two epoch-making verdicts">{{cite web|last1=Habib|first1=Haroon|title=Two epoch-making verdicts|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/two-epochmaking-verdicts/article623525.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=19 June 2022}}</ref>
from 17 August to 2 November 1971. He was awarded the medal [[Bir Uttom]] for his gallantry in the liberation war. After independence, he was inducted into the Bangladesh Army for administrative retirement with the rank of Lieutenant colonel.
He turned into a radical political activist and leader of the left-wing [[Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal]].<ref name="Two epoch-making verdicts">{{cite web|last1=Habib|first1=Haroon|title=Two epoch-making verdicts|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/two-epochmaking-verdicts/article623525.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=19 June 2015}}</ref>


He was responsible for the [[7 November 1975 Bangladesh coup d'état|7 November coup]] which caused severe disruption in discipline and erupted chaos within the rank and structure of the military inside Dhaka Cantonment. Many killings occurred at his instigation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Zia revived Razakars: Inu|url=http://bdnews24.com/politics/2013/07/20/zia-revived-razakars-inu|work=bdnews24.com|access-date=19 June 2015}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{cite book|last1=Newton|first1=Michael|title=Famous Assassinations in World History: An Encyclopedia|publisher=ABC-CLIO, LLC|location=United States of America|isbn=9781610692861|page=455}}</ref> After [[Ziaur Rahman]] was reinstated as army chief, discipline was reinstated. Many personnel including Taher was found guilty of [[high treason]] and [[murder]] and executed.<ref name=":1" /> However, in 2011, his trial was declared illegal by the high court of Bangladesh.<ref name=":2">{{cite news |last=Niloy |first=Suliman |title='Zia staged trial to kill Col Taher' |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/05/20/zia-staged-trial-to-kill-col-taher |newspaper=bdnews24.com |access-date=19 June 2015}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
He was responsible for the [[7 November 1975 Bangladesh coup d'état|7 November coup]] which was 3rd Coup of 1975 of Bangladesh.<ref name=":5">{{cite news |title=Zia revived Razakars: Inu|url=http://bdnews24.com/politics/2013/07/20/zia-revived-razakars-inu|work=bdnews24.com|access-date=19 June 2022}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{cite book|last1=Newton|first1=Michael|title=Famous Assassinations in World History: An Encyclopedia|date=17 April 2014|publisher=ABC-CLIO, LLC|location=United States of America|isbn=9781610692861|page=455}}</ref> After freeing [[Ziaur Rahman]] and reinstating him as [[Chief of Army Staff (Bangladesh)|army chief]],<ref name=":5" /> many personnel including Taher was found guilty of [[high treason]] and [[murder]] and executed.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |last=Ahsan |first=Syed Badrul |author-link=Syed Badrul Ahsan |date=7 July 2015 |title=Bourgeois dreams of socialist revolution |newspaper=The Daily Observer |url=http://www.observerbd.com/2015/07/07/98425.php |access-date=16 July 2022}}</ref> However, in 2011, his trial was declared illegal by the high court of Bangladesh.<ref name=":2">{{cite news |last=Niloy |first=Suliman |title='Zia staged trial to kill Col Taher' |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/05/20/zia-staged-trial-to-kill-col-taher |newspaper=bdnews24.com |access-date=19 June 2022}}</ref><ref name=":3" />


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Abu Taher was born in [[Badarpur, Assam|Badarpur]], Assam Province of [[British India]] on 14 November 1938.<ref name="TWO GIANTS">{{cite news |title=Two Giants |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/two-giants/ |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=14 November 2013 |access-date=19 June 2015}}</ref> His ancestral village was Kazla in [[Purbadhala Upazila|Purbadhala]],  [[Netrokona District]] of [[Bangladesh]]. After the completion of higher secondary school from [[Murari Chand College]] in [[Sylhet]], Taher joined the [[Pakistani Army]] in September 1960 as an officer candidate.<ref name="bpedia"/> He was married to [[Lutfa Taher]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://thedailynewnation.com/news/35784/nerakona-lutfa-taher-mp-spouse-of-sector-commander-late-col-abu-taher-and-jsd-inu-central-leader-mukllesur-rahman-muktadir-addressing-the-biennial-confeence-of-jsd-inu-netrakona-disrict-unit-at-local-public-hall-yesterday.html |title=Nerakona: Lutfa Taher MP, spouse of sector commander late Col Abu Taher and JSD (Inu) central leader Mukllesur Rahman Muktadir addressing the biennial confeence of JSD (Inu), Netrakona disrict unit at local public hall yesterday |work=The New Nation|access-date=21 November 2017|language=en}}</ref>
Abu Taher was born in [[Badarpur, Assam|Badarpur]], Assam Province of [[British India]] on 14 November 1938.<ref name="TWO GIANTS">{{cite news |title=Two Giants |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/two-giants/ |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=14 November 2013 |access-date=19 June 2022}}</ref> His ancestral village was Kazla in [[Purbadhala Upazila|Purbadhala]],  [[Netrokona District]] of [[Bangladesh]]. After the completion of higher secondary school from [[Murari Chand College]] in [[Sylhet]], Taher joined the [[Pakistani Army]] in September 1960 as an officer candidate.<ref name="bpedia"/> He was married to [[Lutfa Taher]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://thedailynewnation.com/news/35784/nerakona-lutfa-taher-mp-spouse-of-sector-commander-late-col-abu-taher-and-jsd-inu-central-leader-mukllesur-rahman-muktadir-addressing-the-biennial-confeence-of-jsd-inu-netrakona-disrict-unit-at-local-public-hall-yesterday.html |title=Nerakona: Lutfa Taher MP, spouse of sector commander late Col Abu Taher and JSD (Inu) central leader Mukllesur Rahman Muktadir addressing the biennial conference of JSD (Inu), Netrakona disrict unit at local public hall yesterday |work=The New Nation|access-date=21 November 2017|language=en}}</ref>


==Military career==
==Military career==
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===Bangladesh War of Independence===
===Bangladesh War of Independence===
Towards the end of August 1971, [[Captain]] Taher, along with three other Bengali officers: Capt. Patwari, Maj. Manzoor and Capt. Ziauddin defected from the Pakistani Army and crossed over the border near [[Abbottabad]], [[West Pakistan]], into India.<ref name="bpedia" /> After two weeks under Indian intelligence screening and debriefing, he was sent to [[Bangladesh Armed Forces]] (BDF) HQ at 8 Theatre Road, Calcutta and subsequently  posted to Sector 11. He was promoted to Major in September . Major Zia appointed Taher as Sub-Sector Commander No. 2 at Mahendraganj.<ref>{{cite news |title=Taher execution an outright murder: HC |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/col-taher-execution-an-absolute-killing-hc/ |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=20 May 2013 |access-date=20 June 2015}}</ref> Sector 11 was located across the [[Rangpur District]], which comprised [[Mymensingh District]], [[Tangail District]] and parts of the [[Rangpur District]]. On October 10, upon Major Zia's temporary transfer to the Sylhet sector, Major Shafayat Jamil handed over the interim command of the sector  to BDF. Sector 11. On 2 November 1971, Taher lost his leg from a small mine blast during a debriefing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kamalpur, Phulbari tasted freedom on this day in '71 |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/kamalpur-phulbari-tasted-freedom-on-this-day-in-71-53244 |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=8 March 2015 |access-date=19 June 2015}}</ref> Squadron Leader [[M. Hamidullah Khan]] was officially appointed Sector Commander of Sector 11 under direct orders through [[Emergency Action Message|EAM]] from Colonel Osmani, Bangladesh Interim Provincial Government Headquarters. Taher was flown to [[Pune]], India. On 21 November Taher received a Medical Board Release. His leg was later amputated there, where he remained until February 1972. For his valour, he was awarded [[Bir Uttom]].
Towards the end of August 1971, [[Captain]] Taher, along with three other Bengali officers: Major [[Muhammed Abul Manzur|Manzur]], Major [[Mohammad Ziauddin (army officer)|Ziauddin]] and Captain Bazlul Ghani Patwari defected from the Pakistani Army and crossed over the border near [[Abbottabad]], [[West Pakistan]], into India.<ref name="bpedia" /> After two weeks under Indian intelligence screening and debriefing, he was sent to [[Bangladesh Armed Forces]] (BDF) HQ at 8 Theatre Road, Calcutta and subsequently  posted to Sector 11. He was promoted to Major in September . Major Zia appointed Taher as Sub-Sector Commander No. 2 at Mahendraganj.<ref>{{cite news |title=Taher execution an outright murder: HC |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/col-taher-execution-an-absolute-killing-hc/ |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=20 May 2013 |access-date=20 June 2022}}</ref> Sector 11 was located across the [[Rangpur District]], which comprised [[Mymensingh District]], [[Tangail District]] and parts of the [[Rangpur District]]. On October 10, upon Major Zia's temporary transfer to the Sylhet sector, Major Shafayat Jamil handed over the interim command of the sector  to BDF. Sector 11. On 2 November 1971, Taher lost his leg from a small mine blast during a debriefing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kamalpur, Phulbari tasted freedom on this day in '71 |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/kamalpur-phulbari-tasted-freedom-on-this-day-in-71-53244 |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=8 March 2015 |access-date=19 June 2022}}</ref> Squadron Leader [[M. Hamidullah Khan]] was officially appointed Sector Commander of Sector 11 under direct orders through [[Emergency Action Message|EAM]] from General Osmani, Bangladesh Interim Provincial Government Headquarters. Taher was flown to [[Pune]], India. On 21 November Taher received a Medical Board Release. His leg was later amputated there, where he remained until February 1972. For his valour, he was awarded [[Bir Uttom]].


==Post-war activities==
==Post-war activities==
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===Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal===
===Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal===
Due to his left-leaning communist ideas of organizing the Bangladesh Army along the lines of the [[People's Liberation Army]], he resigned from the army to form the [[Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal]].<ref name="history1">{{cite web
Due to his left-leaning communist ideas of governance he joined the [[Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal]].<ref name="history1">{{cite web
  |url=http://www.jsdbd.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1&Itemid=3
  |url=http://www.jsdbd.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1&Itemid=3
  |title=History of Jatiya Samajtantric Dal
  |title=History of Jatiya Samajtantric Dal
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}}</ref>
}}</ref>


The [[Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal]] had split from the [[Bangladesh Chhatra League]], the student wing of the [[Bangladesh Awami League]] and called for establishing [[socialism]] through an armed revolution. Taher became the head of its armed wing, the [[Gonobahini]] and led a violent insurgency campaign against the government of [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hossain|first1=Kazi Mobarak|title=Hasanul Haq Inu’s JaSoD splits as he names Shirin general secretary|url=http://bdnews24.com/politics/2016/03/12/hasanul-haq-inus-jasod-splits-as-he-names-shirin-general-secretary |work=bdnews24.com |date=13 March 2016 |access-date=11 July 2016}}</ref>
The [[Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal]] had split from the [[Bangladesh Chhatra League]], the student wing of the [[Bangladesh Awami League]] and called for establishing [[socialism]] through an armed revolution. Taher became the head of its armed wing, the [[Gonobahini]] and led a violent insurgency campaign against the government of [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hossain|first1=Kazi Mobarak|title=Hasanul Haq Inu's JaSoD splits as he names Shirin general secretary|url=http://bdnews24.com/politics/2016/03/12/hasanul-haq-inus-jasod-splits-as-he-names-shirin-general-secretary |work=bdnews24.com |date=13 March 2016 |access-date=11 July 2022}}</ref>


===7 November coup===
===15 August 1975 Coup===
Abu Taher welcomed the [[assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] on 15 August 1975, remarking, <blockquote>They've made a big mistake. They shouldn't have allowed Sheikh Mujib's burial. Now a shrine will be built there. His body should have been thrown into the [[Bay of Bengal]].</blockquote><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Who Said What After August 1 5|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/who-said-what-after-august-15-37449 |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=17 August 2014 |access-date=16 July 2016}}</ref>
Abu Taher welcomed the [[assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] on 15 August 1975, remarking, <blockquote>
They've made a big mistake. They shouldn't have allowed Sheikh Mujib's burial. Now a shrine will be built there. His body should have been thrown into the [[Bay of Bengal]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6">{{cite news |title=Who Said What After August 1 5|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/who-said-what-after-august-15-37449 |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=17 August 2014 |access-date=16 July 2022}}</ref>  </blockquote>
It was known that [[Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal]] had plans for an insurrection against Sheikh Mujib's government.<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |first=Lawrence |last=Lifschultz |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/471667979 |title=Bangladesh : the unfinished revolution |date=1979 |publisher=Zed Press |isbn=0-905762-07-X |oclc=471667979}}</ref> After the 15 August coup, JSD encouraged its followers to study Marx's [[The Class Struggles in France, 1848–1850|The Class Struggles in France]].<ref name=":7" /> On the morning of the coup, Taher received several phone calls, urging him to go to [[Bangladesh Betar]], the government radio station. Upon reaching the radio station, he met [[Khandaker Abdur Rashid|Major Rashid]], one of the key organisers of Sheikh Mujib's assassination. Rashid took Taher to a room, where he saw [[Shariful Haque Dalim|Major Dalim]], [[Taheruddin Thakur]] and [[Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad]]. Taher was invited to join the cabinet by Rashid, which he declined. Taher was present at Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad's swearing-in ceremony.<ref name=":6" />


Taher quickly took advantage of the chaos following the assassination, exacerbating dissent among ranking [[non-commissioned officer]]s and regular soldiers.<ref name=history1 /> Taher incited and organized an uprising of the soldiers on 7 November 1975. Together with [[Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal]] leader [[Hasanul Haq Inu]], soldiers loyal to him tried to takeover Bangladesh Radio and also to remove [[Ziaur Rahman]] from cantonment, in order to facilitate a [[Marxist]] takeover of power.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chowdhury |first=Afsan |date=8 November 2010 |title=What really happened in 1975? |url=http://opinion.bdnews24.com/2010/11/08/what-really-happened-in-1975/ |newspaper=bdnews24.com |access-date=11 July 2016}}</ref>
=== 3 November 1975 Coup ===
After the 15 August coup, the chain of command in the Bangladesh Army was disrupted, as the majors involved in Sheikh Mujib's assassination 'began acting like generals'.<ref name=":7" /> General [[Khaled Mosharraf]] urged General [[Ziaur Rahman]] to restore the chain of command, which he was either unwilling or unable to do. As a result, Khaled Mosharraf launced the [[3 November 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état|3 November coup]], ousting Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad and placing Zia under house arrest. Right before Zia was arrested, he reportedly made a phone call to Taher, urging him to save him.<ref name=":7" /> Every night between 4 and 6 November, secret meetings of enlisted men and non-commissioned officers were held under Taher's leadership. These troops belonged to Biplobi Shainik Sangstha (Revolutionary Soldier's Organisation), which was a 'socialist and egalitarian' group which clandestinely existed within the Bangladesh Army.<ref>{{Cite book |first=Anthony |last=Mascarenhas |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/242251870 |title=Bangladesh : a legacy of blood. |date=1986 |publisher=Hodder and Stoughton |isbn=0-340-39420-X |oclc=242251870}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> At these meetings, they finalised plans to organise an uprising of soldiers and civilians and free Zia from imprisonment.


Some revenge killings took place of a number of military officers and their wives due to incidents dating back to injustices that occurred during the independence war in 1971.<ref name=":4" /> Acts of treason and clear serious breaches of military discipline and morale followed.<ref name=":1" /> As chief of Staff, Major General Ziaur Rahman, worked to bring down the acts of treason and mutiny, after his release.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |last=Ahsan |first=Syed Badrul |date=7 July 2015 |title=Bourgeois dreams of socialist revolution |url=http://www.observerbd.com/2015/07/07/98425.php |newspaper=The Daily Observer |access-date=16 July 2016}}</ref>
=== 7 November 1975 Coup ===
The [[7 November 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état|coup]] was launched during the early hours of 7 November in Dhaka Cantonment and soon spread to other areas, including Rangpur and Chittagong.<ref name=":7" /> Crowds poured into the streets of Dhaka to support the soldiers and shouted slogans, such as 'The people and soldiers have united'. Ziaur Rahman was freed from house arrest by soldiers and taken to the headquarters of the 2nd Field Artillery regiment, where he met Taher. Witnesses claim that Zia embraced Taher and thanked him for saving his life.<ref name=":7" />


==Trial and execution==
==Trial and execution==
Once Ziaur Rahman regained control of the army, he realized that the soldiers' mutiny had to be suppressed if discipline was to be restored.<ref name=":1" /> On 24 November 1975, he ordered Taher arrested on charges of [[high treason]] and [[murder]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Hossain |first=Kazi Mobarak |date=13 March 2016 |title=Hasanul Haq Inu's JaSoD splits as he names Shirin general secretary |url=http://bdnews24.com/politics/2016/03/12/hasanul-haq-inus-jasod-splits-as-he-names-shirin-general-secretary |newspaper=bdnews24.com |access-date=11 July 2016}}</ref> Taher was tried by a military tribunal inside the [[Dhaka Central Jail]] and sentenced to death on 17 July 1976. He was executed by hanging on 21 July 1976.<ref name="The Daily Star">{{cite news |last=Manik |first=Julfikar Ali |date=25 August 2010 |title=5th amendment verdict paves way for justice |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=152188 |newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=19 June 2015}}</ref> The trial was later considered flawed.<ref name="The Daily Star"/><ref>{{cite book |last=Katsiaficas |first=George |date=2013 |title=Asia's unknown uprisings |location=Oakland, Calif. |publisher=PM |page=270 |isbn=978-1-60486-488-5}}</ref>
Once Ziaur Rahman regained control of the army, he realized that the soldiers' mutiny had to be suppressed if discipline was to be restored.<ref name=":1" /> On 24 November 1975, he ordered Taher arrested on charges of [[high treason]] and [[murder]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Hossain |first=Kazi Mobarak |date=13 March 2016 |title=Hasanul Haq Inu's JaSoD splits as he names Shirin general secretary |url=http://bdnews24.com/politics/2016/03/12/hasanul-haq-inus-jasod-splits-as-he-names-shirin-general-secretary |newspaper=bdnews24.com |access-date=11 July 2022}}</ref> Taher was tried by a military tribunal inside the [[Dhaka Central Jail]] and sentenced to death on 17 July 1976. He was executed by hanging on 21 July 1976.<ref name="The Daily Star">{{cite news |last=Manik |first=Julfikar Ali |date=25 August 2010 |title=5th amendment verdict paves way for justice |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=152188 |newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=19 June 2022}}</ref> His [[last meal]] consisted of mangoes and tea.<ref name=":7" /> The trial was later considered flawed.<ref name="The Daily Star"/><ref>{{cite book |last=Katsiaficas |first=George |date=2013 |title=Asia's unknown uprisings |location=Oakland, Calif. |publisher=PM |page=270 |isbn=978-1-60486-488-5}}</ref>


==High Court ruling==
==High Court ruling==
On 22 March 2011, the High Court overturned the previous judgement that authorised Taher's execution by a military tribunal while the nation was under martial law. The military court judgement was declared illegal.<ref name=":3">[http://bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=2&id=190563&hb=2 "HC declares Taher trial illegal"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930084753/http://bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=2&id=190563&hb=2 |date=30 September 2011 }} bdnews24.com</ref> The court observed Taher's execution had happened according to [[Ziaur Rahman|Major General Zia]]'s plan.<ref name=":2">{{cite news |last=Niloy |first=Suliman |title='Zia staged trial to kill Col Taher' |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/05/20/zia-staged-trial-to-kill-col-taher |newspaper=bdnews24.com |access-date=19 June 2015}}</ref>
On 22 March 2011, the High Court overturned the previous judgement that authorised Taher's execution by a military tribunal while the nation was under martial law. The military court judgement was declared illegal.<ref name=":3">[http://bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=2&id=190563&hb=2 "HC declares Taher trial illegal"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930084753/http://bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=2&id=190563&hb=2 |date=30 September 2011 }} bdnews24.com</ref> The court observed Taher's execution had happened according to [[Ziaur Rahman|Major General Zia]]'s plan.<ref name=":2"/>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 22:03, 21 December 2022


For other uses, see Abu Taher (disambiguation).

Lieutenant Colonel

Abu Taher

Bir Uttom
আবু তাহের
Born(1938-11-14)14 November 1938
Badarpur, Sylhet, Assam, British India
Died21 July 1976(1976-07-21) (aged 37)
Dhaka Central Jail, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Cause of deathExecution by hanging
Alma materMurari Chand College
Political partyJatiyo Samajtantrik Dal
Spouse(s)Lutfa Taher[1]
Children3
RelativesM. Anwar Hossain[2] (brother)
Military career
Allegiance Bangladesh
 Pakistan (before 1971)
Service/branch Pakistan Army
Bangladesh Army seal Bangladesh Army
Years of service1962–1971 Pakistan
1971-1972 Bangladesh
RankLieutenant Colonel
Commands heldSector commander of Sector 11
Battles/warsBangladesh Liberation War
Awards Bir Uttom[3][4][5] Maroon Parachute Wing

Abu Taher (Bengali: আবু তাহের) (14 November 1938 – 21 July 1976) was a Bengali military serviceman, who served in the Pakistan Army, and later in BDF. He crossed into India around early August and reported to the Indian authorities. After a week screening at Dehradun, India, Taher reported to Kolkata, Bangladesh Provincial government at 8 Theatre Rd. He was ordered to report to Sector 11 of Mukti Bahini under command of Major Ziaur Rahman, he became the sector commander after him. He served in BDF from end of August to 2 November 1971. He was awarded the medal Bir Uttom for his gallantry in the liberation war. He was released from military service by Indian military medical board in Pune, India after his leg was amputated. After independence, he was inducted into the Bangladesh Army for administrative retirement with legacy rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After settling in with family, the government of Bangladesh appointed him with employment at Kumilla. Later Taher turned into a political activist and leader of the left-wing Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal.[4]

He was responsible for the 7 November coup which was 3rd Coup of 1975 of Bangladesh.[6][7] After freeing Ziaur Rahman and reinstating him as army chief,[6] many personnel including Taher was found guilty of high treason and murder and executed.[8] However, in 2011, his trial was declared illegal by the high court of Bangladesh.[9][10]

Early life and education

Abu Taher was born in Badarpur, Assam Province of British India on 14 November 1938.[11] His ancestral village was Kazla in Purbadhala, Netrokona District of Bangladesh. After the completion of higher secondary school from Murari Chand College in Sylhet, Taher joined the Pakistani Army in September 1960 as an officer candidate.[5] He was married to Lutfa Taher.[12]

Military career

Taher received his Commission in 1962 as a second lieutenant in the Pakistan Army. He joined the elite Pakistan Special Services Group (Commando Force) in 1965.[11] Following his training, he participated in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 in the Sialkot sector of Kashmir. For his part, he received a war participation medal from the Pakistan Army. After the war, Taher took officers pre-qualification course on guerrilla warfare at Fort Benning in the United States in 1969. He was posted to the Quetta Staff College, Pakistan in 1970.[5]

Bangladesh War of Independence

Towards the end of August 1971, Captain Taher, along with three other Bengali officers: Major Manzur, Major Ziauddin and Captain Bazlul Ghani Patwari defected from the Pakistani Army and crossed over the border near Abbottabad, West Pakistan, into India.[5] After two weeks under Indian intelligence screening and debriefing, he was sent to Bangladesh Armed Forces (BDF) HQ at 8 Theatre Road, Calcutta and subsequently posted to Sector 11. He was promoted to Major in September . Major Zia appointed Taher as Sub-Sector Commander No. 2 at Mahendraganj.[13] Sector 11 was located across the Rangpur District, which comprised Mymensingh District, Tangail District and parts of the Rangpur District. On October 10, upon Major Zia's temporary transfer to the Sylhet sector, Major Shafayat Jamil handed over the interim command of the sector to BDF. Sector 11. On 2 November 1971, Taher lost his leg from a small mine blast during a debriefing.[14] Squadron Leader M. Hamidullah Khan was officially appointed Sector Commander of Sector 11 under direct orders through EAM from General Osmani, Bangladesh Interim Provincial Government Headquarters. Taher was flown to Pune, India. On 21 November Taher received a Medical Board Release. His leg was later amputated there, where he remained until February 1972. For his valour, he was awarded Bir Uttom.

Post-war activities

Following his return, Taher was reinstated into the Bangladesh Army in April for effective retirement following administrative procedure. He was retired with a legacy entitlement rank of Lieutenant Colonel and hence is widely known as Colonel Taher.[5]

Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal

Due to his left-leaning communist ideas of governance he joined the Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal.[15]

The Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal had split from the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the Bangladesh Awami League and called for establishing socialism through an armed revolution. Taher became the head of its armed wing, the Gonobahini and led a violent insurgency campaign against the government of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.[16]

15 August 1975 Coup

Abu Taher welcomed the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 15 August 1975, remarking,

They've made a big mistake. They shouldn't have allowed Sheikh Mujib's burial. Now a shrine will be built there. His body should have been thrown into the Bay of Bengal.[8][17]

It was known that Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal had plans for an insurrection against Sheikh Mujib's government.[18] After the 15 August coup, JSD encouraged its followers to study Marx's The Class Struggles in France.[18] On the morning of the coup, Taher received several phone calls, urging him to go to Bangladesh Betar, the government radio station. Upon reaching the radio station, he met Major Rashid, one of the key organisers of Sheikh Mujib's assassination. Rashid took Taher to a room, where he saw Major Dalim, Taheruddin Thakur and Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad. Taher was invited to join the cabinet by Rashid, which he declined. Taher was present at Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad's swearing-in ceremony.[17]

3 November 1975 Coup

After the 15 August coup, the chain of command in the Bangladesh Army was disrupted, as the majors involved in Sheikh Mujib's assassination 'began acting like generals'.[18] General Khaled Mosharraf urged General Ziaur Rahman to restore the chain of command, which he was either unwilling or unable to do. As a result, Khaled Mosharraf launced the 3 November coup, ousting Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad and placing Zia under house arrest. Right before Zia was arrested, he reportedly made a phone call to Taher, urging him to save him.[18] Every night between 4 and 6 November, secret meetings of enlisted men and non-commissioned officers were held under Taher's leadership. These troops belonged to Biplobi Shainik Sangstha (Revolutionary Soldier's Organisation), which was a 'socialist and egalitarian' group which clandestinely existed within the Bangladesh Army.[19][18] At these meetings, they finalised plans to organise an uprising of soldiers and civilians and free Zia from imprisonment.

7 November 1975 Coup

The coup was launched during the early hours of 7 November in Dhaka Cantonment and soon spread to other areas, including Rangpur and Chittagong.[18] Crowds poured into the streets of Dhaka to support the soldiers and shouted slogans, such as 'The people and soldiers have united'. Ziaur Rahman was freed from house arrest by soldiers and taken to the headquarters of the 2nd Field Artillery regiment, where he met Taher. Witnesses claim that Zia embraced Taher and thanked him for saving his life.[18]

Trial and execution

Once Ziaur Rahman regained control of the army, he realized that the soldiers' mutiny had to be suppressed if discipline was to be restored.[8] On 24 November 1975, he ordered Taher arrested on charges of high treason and murder.[20] Taher was tried by a military tribunal inside the Dhaka Central Jail and sentenced to death on 17 July 1976. He was executed by hanging on 21 July 1976.[21] His last meal consisted of mangoes and tea.[18] The trial was later considered flawed.[21][22]

High Court ruling

On 22 March 2011, the High Court overturned the previous judgement that authorised Taher's execution by a military tribunal while the nation was under martial law. The military court judgement was declared illegal.[10] The court observed Taher's execution had happened according to Major General Zia's plan.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ আজ আমি আনন্দিত, আমি গর্বিত : লুৎফা তাহের. banglanews24.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  2. ↑ "Colonel Taher's unfinished revolution". 31 January 2022.
  3. ↑ Bangladesh Gazette of 15 December, 1973; Ministry of Liberation War Affairs
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Habib, Haroon. "Two epoch-making verdicts". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Hossain, Md Anwar (2012). "Taher, Lieutenant Colonel Abu". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Zia revived Razakars: Inu". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  7. ↑ Newton, Michael (17 April 2014). Famous Assassinations in World History: An Encyclopedia. United States of America: ABC-CLIO, LLC. p. 455. ISBN 9781610692861.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Ahsan, Syed Badrul (7 July 2015). "Bourgeois dreams of socialist revolution". The Daily Observer. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Niloy, Suliman. "'Zia staged trial to kill Col Taher'". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "HC declares Taher trial illegal" Archived 30 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine bdnews24.com
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Two Giants". The Daily Star. 14 November 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  12. ↑ "Nerakona: Lutfa Taher MP, spouse of sector commander late Col Abu Taher and JSD (Inu) central leader Mukllesur Rahman Muktadir addressing the biennial conference of JSD (Inu), Netrakona disrict unit at local public hall yesterday". The New Nation. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  13. ↑ "Taher execution an outright murder: HC". The Daily Star. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  14. ↑ "Kamalpur, Phulbari tasted freedom on this day in '71". The Daily Star. 8 March 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  15. ↑ "History of Jatiya Samajtantric Dal". Dhaka Informatix. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2009.
  16. ↑ Hossain, Kazi Mobarak (13 March 2016). "Hasanul Haq Inu's JaSoD splits as he names Shirin general secretary". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Who Said What After August 1 5". The Daily Star. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 Lifschultz, Lawrence (1979). Bangladesh : the unfinished revolution. Zed Press. ISBN 0-905762-07-X. OCLC 471667979.
  19. ↑ Mascarenhas, Anthony (1986). Bangladesh : a legacy of blood. Hodder and Stoughton. ISBN 0-340-39420-X. OCLC 242251870.
  20. ↑ Hossain, Kazi Mobarak (13 March 2016). "Hasanul Haq Inu's JaSoD splits as he names Shirin general secretary". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Manik, Julfikar Ali (25 August 2010). "5th amendment verdict paves way for justice". The Daily Star. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  22. ↑ Katsiaficas, George (2013). Asia's unknown uprisings. Oakland, Calif.: PM. p. 270. ISBN 978-1-60486-488-5.

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