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{{Use dmy dates|date= | {{Short description|Bangladeshi retired army officer and freedom fighter (born 1946)}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} | |||
{{Infobox officeholder | {{Infobox officeholder | ||
| name | | name = Shariful Haque Dalim | ||
| native_name | | native_name = {{no bold|শরিফুল হক ডালিম}} | ||
| native_name_lang | | native_name_lang = bn | ||
| birth_date | | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1946|02|02|df=y}}<ref name=Dalim /> | ||
| birth_place | | birth_place = [[Dacca]], [[Bengal Presidency|Bengal]], [[British Raj|British India]]<ref name=Dalim /> | ||
| module = {{Infobox criminal | |||
| | |child = yes | ||
| | |criminal_charge = [[Murder]] | ||
| | | conviction_status = Self-imposed [[exile]]; Subject of arrest warrant by the [[Supreme Court of Bangladesh]] | ||
| | | sentence = Sentenced to [[death sentence|death]] in the [[Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman|Sheikh Mujib assassination case]] and [[life imprisonment]] in the [[1975 Jail Killing|Jail Killing case]] | ||
| | | wanted_by = [[Government of Bangladesh]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
| nationality = {{ubl|[[File:British Raj Red Ensign.svg|23px|link=British Raj]] [[British Raj]] (1946–1947|{{PAK}} (1947–1971)|{{BAN}} (from 1971)}} | |||
| rank = [[Lieutenant colonel]] | |||
| allegiance = {{flag|Pakistan}}<br />{{flagicon|Bangladesh}} [[Bangladesh]] | |||
| serviceyears = 1967–1976 | |||
| branch = {{Air force|Pakistan}}<br /> {{army|Pakistan}}<br /> {{army|Bangladesh}} | |||
| unit = [[Pakistan Army Armoured Corps|Armoured Corps]] | |||
| commands = *Company Commander of Bengal Lancers | |||
*Sub-Commander of [[List of sectors in the Bangladesh Liberation War|Sector - I]] | |||
| image = | |||
| caption = | |||
| spouse = {{marriage|Nimmi Chowdhury||2005|end=died}} | |||
| awards = [[Bir Uttom]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.molwa.gov.bd/site/page/3f3b7628-3ac7-4927-bf6f-c9203fae601f/Bir-Uttam |title=Bangladesh Gazette of 15 December, 1973; Ministry of Liberation War Affairs |access-date=7 February 2023 |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001195814/http://www.molwa.gov.bd/site/page/3f3b7628-3ac7-4927-bf6f-c9203fae601f/Bir-Uttam}}</ref> | |||
| honorific_prefix = [[Lieutenant colonel|Lieutenant Colonel]] | |||
| honorific_suffix = [[Bir Uttom|BU]] | |||
| office2 = [[Bangladesh–China relations|Bangladesh High Commissioner to Hong Kong]] | |||
| president2 = {{ubl|[[Abdus Sattar (president)|Abdus Sattar]]|[[A. F. M. Ahsanuddin Chowdhury]]}} | |||
| primeminister2 = {{ubl|[[Ataur Rahman Khan]]|[[Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury]]}} | |||
| term_start2 = 1982 | |||
| term_end2 = 1988 | |||
| office1 = [[Bangladesh–Kenya relations|Bangladesh High Commissioner to Kenya]] | |||
| president1 = {{ubl|[[A. F. M. Ahsanuddin Chowdhury]]|[[Hussain Muhammad Ershad]]}} | |||
| primeminister1 = {{ubl|[[Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury]]}} | |||
| term_start1 = 1988 | |||
| term_end1 = 1995 | |||
| children = 1 | |||
| known_for = [[15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état|15 August 1975 coup d'état]] | |||
| battles = [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]<br />[[Bangladesh Liberation War]]<br />[[15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état]]<br />[[United Nations Operation in Somalia I|UNOSOM I]] | |||
| parents = [[Shamsul Haque (Dhaka politician)|Shamsul Haque]] | |||
}} | |||
'''Shariful Haque Dalim''' ({{langx|bn|শরিফুল হক ডালিম}}; born 2 February 1946)<ref name="md">{{cite web |title=Life sketch - Ambassador Lt. Col. (Retd) Shariful Haq Dalim BU |url=http://www.majordalimbu.com/Lifesketch.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027021321/http://www.majordalimbu.com/Lifesketch.htm |archive-date=27 October 2016 |access-date=17 January 2025 |website=}}</ref> popularly known as '''Major Dalim''', is a retired army officer of [[Bangladesh Army]] and a diplomat.<ref>{{cite news |author=Salil Tripathi |date=19 November 2014 |title=Of course, we killed him ... he had to go |url=http://archive.dhakatribune.com/feature/2014/nov/19/%E2%80%98-course-we-killed-him-he-had-go%E2%80%99 |work=[[Dhaka Tribune]] |access-date=11 November 2016 |archive-date=7 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807152626/http://archive.dhakatribune.com/feature/2014/nov/19/%E2%80%98-course-we-killed-him-he-had-go%E2%80%99 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He was convicted for his part in the [[15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Sheik Mujib Gets Total Authority Over Bangladesh |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/01/26/archives/sheik-mujib-gets-total-authority-over-bangladesh-a-strong.html |access-date=31 August 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=26 January 1975 |archive-date=26 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926133238/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/01/26/archives/sheik-mujib-gets-total-authority-over-bangladesh-a-strong.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Maniruzzaman |first=Talukder |date=1975 |title=Bangladesh: An Unfinished Revolution? |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2054506 |journal=The Journal of Asian Studies |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |volume=34 |issue=4 |pages=891–911 |doi=10.2307/2054506 |jstor=2054506 |s2cid=154434833 |issn=0021-9118 |archive-date=19 January 2022 |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119033236/https://www.jstor.org/stable/2054506 |url-status=live|url-access=subscription }}</ref> | |||
==Early life== | |||
Dalim was born in [[Dacca]] at [[Bengal Presidency]] of British India to [[Shamsul Haque (Dhaka politician)|Shamsul Haque]] a textile businessman and former [[Member of Parliament (Bangladesh)|member of parliament]] for [[Dhaka-11]] in the [[Ziaur Rahman ministry]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2026}} | |||
== Education == | |||
Dalim enlisted to [[Pakistan Air Force Academy]] in [[Risalpur]] of then [[West Pakistan]] on 1964 after finishing high school. His training was halted soon after the [[Indo-Pakistani war of 1965]]. After war, Dalim was instead sent back to [[Pakistan Military Academy]] to complete his military training. He was then again commissioned with the [[Pakistan Army Armoured Corps|Armoured Corps]] in 1967 in the rank of [[second lieutenant]].{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} | |||
==Career== | ==Career== | ||
==Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman== | === Military === | ||
On 1971, Dalim was in West Pakistan and opted to enter India to join the [[Mukti Bahini]] in [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]. After his defection he served as the [[Aide-de-camp]] to commander of [[Z Force (Bangladesh)|Z Force]] lieutenant colonel [[Ziaur Rahman]]. In acknowledgment of his role and contributions, he was awarded the title of [[Bir Uttom]] and was promoted to the rank of [[Major (rank)|major]].<ref>{{cite book |last= |first= |author-link= |url= |title=Ekattorer Birjoddha, Khetab Pawa Muktijoddhader Birtogatha (Second Volume) |date=March 2013 |publisher=Prothoma Prokashon |isbn=9789849025375 |location= |page=62 |access-date=}}</ref> | |||
After the independence of Bangladesh however, Dalim while serving as squadron commander for the Bengal Lancers was dismissed due to breach of discipline in 1974.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sarkar |first1=Ashutosh |date=19 November 2009 |title=Farooq's confession |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/august-15-special-coverage/farooqs-confession-1269634 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806140458/http://www.thedailystar.net/august-15-special-coverage/farooqs-confession-1269634 |archive-date=6 August 2017 |access-date=9 November 2016 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> | |||
=== Diplomatic === | |||
In 1976, he was sent as a diplomat to China after being assigned to the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bangladesh)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]]. Dalim voluntarily retires from army the same year for enlisting with the foreign affairs ministry.<ref name="md" /> On 1980, he joined the London High Commission under orchestration of high commissioner [[Fakhruddin Ahmed (secretary)|Fakhruddin Ahmed]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Ali |first=Syed Muazzem |author-link=Syed Muazzem Ali |date=2 November 2005 |title=Fakhruddin Ahmed: Some recollections |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/2005/11/02/d511021502115.htm |access-date=5 January 2022 |work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]}}</ref> In 1982, he served as high commissioner for Hong Kong and then ambassador for Kenya six years later.<ref name="md" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Former Consuls General |url=https://www.bangladeshconsulate.hk/former-consuls-general/ |access-date=31 July 2021 |website=Consulate General of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Hong Kong |language=en-US}}{{Dead link|date=January 2025|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} New [https://hongkong.mofa.gov.bd/ govt site]</ref> At the same time he was given charge of [[Tanzania]] and also permanent representative of Bangladesh to [[UNEP]] and [[HABITAT]].<ref name="md" /> He also held the special responsibility of overall supervision of the army personnel to be sent as part of the [[United Nations Peacekeeping]] Force during the war in [[Somalia]]. He retired from government service in 1995.<ref name="md" /> | |||
== Coup d'états == | |||
=== 15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état === | |||
{{main|15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état|Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman}} | |||
Dalim, along with a few other officers of the army including major [[Syed Faruque Rahman]] and major [[Khandaker Abdur Rashid]], planned a coup which took place on 15 August 1975. He was asked to lead the attack on [[Dhanmondi 32]] but he refused to do so. He was then given charge of the 2nd Field Artillery Regiment proxying major Rashid. As the coup was taking place, Dalim took control of [[Bangladesh Betar]] Radio station and made an announcement stating, | |||
{{Blockquote|I am Major Dalim speaking; autocrat [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] has been killed. The army led by Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad has taken over power. [[Curfew]] has been declared.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dalim goes on air |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/dalim-goes-air-1270015 |work=The Daily Star |date=15 August 2016 |access-date=9 November 2016 |archive-date=9 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109220658/http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/dalim-goes-air-1270015 |url-status=live}}</ref>}} | |||
During the speech, he also unofficially announced the proclamation of an Islamic Republic. However, this would later be ignored.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Mascarenhas |first=Anthony |title=Bangladesh: a legacy of blood |date=1986 |publisher=Hodder and Stoughton |isbn=978-0-340-39420-5 |location=London}}</ref> Meanwhile, [[Brigade]] Commander Brigadier [[Quazi Golam Dastgir]] immediately phoned the radio station and ordered them not to broadcast Dalim's announcement.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ahmad |first=Hafiz Uddin |title=১৫ আগস্ট হত্যাকাণ্ডের পর সেনানিবাসে কী ঘটেছিল |trans-title=What happened in the cantonment after the August 15 massacre |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/opinion/column/aosiv3uhki |work=[[Prothom Alo]] |date=15 August 2025 |language=bn}}</ref> | |||
After the coup, [[Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad]] succeeded him as the president. The new president declared [[martial law]] and passed the 1975 [[Indemnity Act, Bangladesh|Indemnity Act]] which provided legal protection to those involved in the coup.<ref>{{cite news |date=15 August 2016 |title=Shame darker than the night |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/shame-darker-the-night-1270021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012093200/https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/shame-darker-the-night-1270021 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |access-date=9 November 2016 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Dalim |first1=Shariful Haq |title=Bangladesh, Untold Facts |date=1 November 2011 |publisher=Jumhoori Publications |isbn=978-9699739408 |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Shahriar's confession |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/august-15-special-coverage/shahriars-confession-1269637 |work=The Daily Star |date=19 November 2009 |access-date=9 November 2016 |archive-date=6 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806141003/http://www.thedailystar.net/august-15-special-coverage/shahriars-confession-1269637 |url-status=live}}</ref> After the killing of then president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 15 August 1975, he was reinstated in [[Bangladesh Army]] and promoted to the rank of [[lieutenant colonel]] and served in the [[Armed Forces Division]] for a brief time. | |||
=== 3 November 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état === | |||
{{Main|3 November 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état}} | |||
During the initial stages of [[Khaled Mosharraf|Brigadier Khaled Mosharraf]]'s coup, Dalim and [[S. H. M. B. Noor Chowdhury|Lt. Colonel Noor]] went over to the cantonment to surrender.<ref name=":0" /> They also negotiated with [[Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad|President Khondaker Mostaq Ahmed]] on behalf of General Musharraf and Dalim personally tried to convince retired [[M. A. G. Osmani|General Osmani]] and [[Khandaker Abdur Rashid|Lt. Colonel Rashid]] to surrender. Eventually, he convinced General Musharraf and [[Shafaat Jamil|Colonel Shafaat Jamil]] to accept a deal wherein all 17 men who planned Mujib's assassination, including Dalim, would go into exile.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
== Exiled life == | |||
In 1996, the [[Awami League]] government, led by Mujib's daughter [[Sheikh Hasina]] began prosecution process for the case. Dalim was again demoted and listed as dismissed by contrast to retirement from the army. He was sentenced to death [[Trial in absentia|in absentia]].<ref>{{cite news |title='Col Jamil involved, Khaled Mosharraf key plotter' |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/bangabandhu-appeals/2009/11/01/col-jamil-involved-khaled-mosharraf-key-plotter |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109084828/http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/bangabandhu-appeals/2009/11/01/col-jamil-involved-khaled-mosharraf-key-plotter |archive-date=9 November 2016 |access-date=9 November 2016 |work=[[bdnews24.com]]}}</ref> According to some reports, he lived in [[Pakistan]] on a [[Kenyan passport]] and had business interests in Africa.<ref>{{cite news |date=19 November 2009 |title=Where are they? |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/august-15-special-coverage/where-are-they-1269625 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105223337/http://www.thedailystar.net/august-15-special-coverage/where-are-they-1269625 |archive-date=5 November 2016 |access-date=9 November 2016 |work=The Daily Star |quote=Dalim lives in Pakistan and often travels to Libya, in particular Benghazi... Wali-ur Rehman said Dalim has business in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, and some other African countries. He even has managed a Kenyan passport.}}</ref> | |||
=== Public appearance === | |||
Shariful Haque Dalim had been in hiding for an extended period due to his controversial role in Bangladesh's political history, particularly his involvement in the [[15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état|1975 military coup]] that resulted in the [[assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]]. Convicted in absentia for his role in the coup, he faced legal and political challenges during [[Sheikh Hasina]]'s rule, which made his return to public life difficult.<ref>{{Cite news |title= |script-title=bn:ইলিয়াসের লাইভ টকশোতে ১৫ই আগস্ট সম্পর্কে যা বললেন মেজর ডালিম বীর বিক্রম |url=https://dailyinqilab.com/national/news/719070 |access-date=6 January 2025 |work=Daily Inqilab |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |title= |script-title=bn:লাইভ সাক্ষাৎকারে মেজর ডালিম কী বললেন? |url=https://www.dailyjanakantha.com/national/news/760106 |access-date=6 January 2025 |work=Janakantha |language=en}}</ref> | |||
Following the [[Resignation of Sheikh Hasina|fall of Sheikh Hasina's regime]] and the [[Student–People's uprising#Aftermath|political upheaval in Bangladesh]] in August 2024, Dalim resurfaced publicly on 5 January 2025, in a live interview on the YouTube channel of expatriate journalist Elias Hossain. In the interview, Dalim spoke about his life in hiding, contemporary political issues, and his perspective on his role in shaping Bangladeshi history.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/live/UFMuU-9w4jM?si=z7BD3Y-ENWHy6imW |title=৫০ বছরের সব প্রশ্নের উত্তর দিলেন, বীর মুক্তিযোদ্ধা মেজর ডালিম (বীর উত্তম) #eliashossain #মেজর_ডালিম |language=bn |access-date=6 January 2025 |via=YouTube |archive-date=6 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250106054932/https://www.youtube.com/live/UFMuU-9w4jM%3Fsi%3Dz7BD3Y-ENWHy6imW |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
Dalim | Dalim was married to Nimmi Chowdhury until her death in 2005 and has one daughter. His younger brother is Kamrul Haque Swapan and younger sister is Mohua Haque.<ref name="Dalim">{{Cite web |title=Shariful Haque, Dalim |url=http://cbi.gov.in/rnotice/A-1811-6-2009.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218204542/http://cbi.gov.in/rnotice/A-1811-6-2009.html |archive-date=18 February 2020 |access-date=6 September 2020 |website=cbi.gov.in}}</ref><ref name="md" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=24 October 2009 |title=Col Rashid's daughter held for blast link |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-111249 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117203955/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-111249 |archive-date=17 November 2019 |access-date=6 September 2020 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref> | ||
== Bibliography == | |||
Dalim has written many books in English, Bangla, and Urdu. He shares his experiences and opinions in his writings and adds historical context based on what he has witnessed.<ref name="book">{{cite news |date=13 September 2024 |title=Banned books that have made a comeback |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/splash/banned-books-have-made-comeback-940291 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914052943/https://www.tbsnews.net/splash/banned-books-have-made-comeback-940291 |archive-date=14 September 2024 |work=[[The Business Standard]] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
* {{Cite book |last=Dalim |first=Shariful Haque |title=যা দেখেছি, যা বুঝেছি, যা করেছি |publisher=Nobojagoron Prokashoni |year=2001 |edition=1st |location=[[Dhaka]] |language=bn |asin=B0DV2G3KPY}} | |||
* {{Cite book |last=Dalim |first=Shariful Haque |title=আমি মেজর ডালিম বলছি |edition=1st |location=[[Dhaka]] |publisher=Bornolipi Prokashoni|asin=B0DFY6RM5P|language=bn|year=2002}} | |||
* {{Cite book |last=Dalim |first=Shariful Haque |title=কিছু কথা কিছু ব্যাথা |year=2002 |edition=1st |language=bn |asin=B0DV25LX85}} | |||
* {{Cite book |last=Dalim |first=Shariful Haque |title=Bangladesh, Untold Facts |publisher=Jumhoori Publications |year=2011 |isbn=978-9698455989}} | |||
* {{Cite book |last=Dalim |first=Shariful Haque |title=জিয়া থেকে খালেদা অতঃপর |publisher=Adarsholipi Prokashon |year=2025 |isbn=9789848126387 |edition=1st |location=[[Dhaka]] |language=bn}} | |||
== See also == | |||
* [[15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état]] | |||
* [[3 November 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état]] | |||
* [[Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
==External links== | |||
{{Sister project links}} | |||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20240827112608/http://www.majordalimbubangla.com/Jiboni.html Biography of Shariful Haque Dalim] | |||
{{Authority control}} | {{Authority control}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dalim, Shariful Haque}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Dalim, Shariful Haque}} | ||
[[Category:Living people]] | [[Category:Living people]] | ||
| Line 42: | Line 116: | ||
[[Category:Recipients of the Bir Uttom]] | [[Category:Recipients of the Bir Uttom]] | ||
[[Category:Bangladeshi emigrants to Pakistan]] | [[Category:Bangladeshi emigrants to Pakistan]] | ||
[[Category:Bangladesh Army officers]] | |||
[[Category:Bangladeshi lieutenant colonels]] | [[Category:Bangladeshi lieutenant colonels]] | ||
[[Category:Bangladesh Freedom Party politicians]] | [[Category:Bangladesh Freedom Party politicians]] | ||
[[Category:Mukti Bahini personnel]] | [[Category:Mukti Bahini personnel]] | ||
[[Category:Ambassadors of Bangladesh to China]] | |||
[[Category:High commissioners of Bangladesh to Kenya]] | |||
[[Category:Military personnel from Dhaka]] | |||
Latest revision as of 13:01, 22 March 2026
Shariful Haque Dalim | |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh High Commissioner to Kenya | |
| In office 1988–1995 | |
| President | |
| Prime Minister | |
| Bangladesh High Commissioner to Hong Kong | |
| In office 1982–1988 | |
| President | |
| Prime Minister | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 February 1946[1] Dacca, Bengal, British India[1] |
| Nationality |
|
| Spouse(s) | Nimmi Chowdhury ( died 2005) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent(s) | Shamsul Haque |
| Known for | 15 August 1975 coup d'état |
| Awards | Bir Uttom[2] |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Pakistan Bangladesh |
| Branch/service |  Pakistan Air Force Pakistan Army Bangladesh Army |
| Years of service | 1967–1976 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Unit | Armoured Corps |
| Commands |
|
| Battles/wars | Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Bangladesh Liberation War 15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état UNOSOM I |
| Criminal status | Self-imposed exile; Subject of arrest warrant by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh |
| Criminal charge | Murder |
| Penalty | Sentenced to death in the Sheikh Mujib assassination case and life imprisonment in the Jail Killing case |
Wanted by | Government of Bangladesh |
| 2= | |
Shariful Haque Dalim (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.; born 2 February 1946)[3] popularly known as Major Dalim, is a retired army officer of Bangladesh Army and a diplomat.[4] He was convicted for his part in the 15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état.[5][6]
Early life[edit | edit source]
Dalim was born in Dacca at Bengal Presidency of British India to Shamsul Haque a textile businessman and former member of parliament for Dhaka-11 in the Ziaur Rahman ministry.[citation needed]
Education[edit | edit source]
Dalim enlisted to Pakistan Air Force Academy in Risalpur of then West Pakistan on 1964 after finishing high school. His training was halted soon after the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965. After war, Dalim was instead sent back to Pakistan Military Academy to complete his military training. He was then again commissioned with the Armoured Corps in 1967 in the rank of second lieutenant.[citation needed]
Career[edit | edit source]
Military[edit | edit source]
On 1971, Dalim was in West Pakistan and opted to enter India to join the Mukti Bahini in Bangladesh Liberation War. After his defection he served as the Aide-de-camp to commander of Z Force lieutenant colonel Ziaur Rahman. In acknowledgment of his role and contributions, he was awarded the title of Bir Uttom and was promoted to the rank of major.[7]
After the independence of Bangladesh however, Dalim while serving as squadron commander for the Bengal Lancers was dismissed due to breach of discipline in 1974.[8]
Diplomatic[edit | edit source]
In 1976, he was sent as a diplomat to China after being assigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dalim voluntarily retires from army the same year for enlisting with the foreign affairs ministry.[3] On 1980, he joined the London High Commission under orchestration of high commissioner Fakhruddin Ahmed.[9] In 1982, he served as high commissioner for Hong Kong and then ambassador for Kenya six years later.[3][10] At the same time he was given charge of Tanzania and also permanent representative of Bangladesh to UNEP and HABITAT.[3] He also held the special responsibility of overall supervision of the army personnel to be sent as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force during the war in Somalia. He retired from government service in 1995.[3]
Coup d'états[edit | edit source]
15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état[edit | edit source]
Dalim, along with a few other officers of the army including major Syed Faruque Rahman and major Khandaker Abdur Rashid, planned a coup which took place on 15 August 1975. He was asked to lead the attack on Dhanmondi 32 but he refused to do so. He was then given charge of the 2nd Field Artillery Regiment proxying major Rashid. As the coup was taking place, Dalim took control of Bangladesh Betar Radio station and made an announcement stating,
I am Major Dalim speaking; autocrat Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been killed. The army led by Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad has taken over power. Curfew has been declared.[11]
During the speech, he also unofficially announced the proclamation of an Islamic Republic. However, this would later be ignored.[12] Meanwhile, Brigade Commander Brigadier Quazi Golam Dastgir immediately phoned the radio station and ordered them not to broadcast Dalim's announcement.[13]
After the coup, Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad succeeded him as the president. The new president declared martial law and passed the 1975 Indemnity Act which provided legal protection to those involved in the coup.[14][15][16] After the killing of then president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 15 August 1975, he was reinstated in Bangladesh Army and promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and served in the Armed Forces Division for a brief time.
3 November 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état[edit | edit source]
During the initial stages of Brigadier Khaled Mosharraf's coup, Dalim and Lt. Colonel Noor went over to the cantonment to surrender.[12] They also negotiated with President Khondaker Mostaq Ahmed on behalf of General Musharraf and Dalim personally tried to convince retired General Osmani and Lt. Colonel Rashid to surrender. Eventually, he convinced General Musharraf and Colonel Shafaat Jamil to accept a deal wherein all 17 men who planned Mujib's assassination, including Dalim, would go into exile.[12]
Exiled life[edit | edit source]
In 1996, the Awami League government, led by Mujib's daughter Sheikh Hasina began prosecution process for the case. Dalim was again demoted and listed as dismissed by contrast to retirement from the army. He was sentenced to death in absentia.[17] According to some reports, he lived in Pakistan on a Kenyan passport and had business interests in Africa.[18]
Public appearance[edit | edit source]
Shariful Haque Dalim had been in hiding for an extended period due to his controversial role in Bangladesh's political history, particularly his involvement in the 1975 military coup that resulted in the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Convicted in absentia for his role in the coup, he faced legal and political challenges during Sheikh Hasina's rule, which made his return to public life difficult.[19][20]
Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's regime and the political upheaval in Bangladesh in August 2024, Dalim resurfaced publicly on 5 January 2025, in a live interview on the YouTube channel of expatriate journalist Elias Hossain. In the interview, Dalim spoke about his life in hiding, contemporary political issues, and his perspective on his role in shaping Bangladeshi history.[21]
Personal life[edit | edit source]
Dalim was married to Nimmi Chowdhury until her death in 2005 and has one daughter. His younger brother is Kamrul Haque Swapan and younger sister is Mohua Haque.[1][3][22]
Bibliography[edit | edit source]
Dalim has written many books in English, Bangla, and Urdu. He shares his experiences and opinions in his writings and adds historical context based on what he has witnessed.[23]
- Dalim, Shariful Haque (2001). যা দেখেছি, যা বুঝেছি, যা করেছি (in Bengali) (1st ed.). Dhaka: Nobojagoron Prokashoni. ASIN B0DV2G3KPY.
- Dalim, Shariful Haque (2002). আমি মেজর ডালিম বলছি (in Bengali) (1st ed.). Dhaka: Bornolipi Prokashoni. ASIN B0DFY6RM5P.
- Dalim, Shariful Haque (2002). কিছু কথা কিছু ব্যাথা (in Bengali) (1st ed.). ASIN B0DV25LX85.
- Dalim, Shariful Haque (2011). Bangladesh, Untold Facts. Jumhoori Publications. ISBN 978-9698455989.
- Dalim, Shariful Haque (2025). জিয়া থেকে খালেদা অতঃপর (in Bengali) (1st ed.). Dhaka: Adarsholipi Prokashon. ISBN 9789848126387.
See also[edit | edit source]
- 15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état
- 3 November 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état
- Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Shariful Haque, Dalim". cbi.gov.in. Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- ↑ "Bangladesh Gazette of 15 December, 1973; Ministry of Liberation War Affairs". Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Life sketch - Ambassador Lt. Col. (Retd) Shariful Haq Dalim BU". Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
- ↑ Salil Tripathi (19 November 2014). "Of course, we killed him ... he had to go". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ↑ "Sheik Mujib Gets Total Authority Over Bangladesh". The New York Times. 26 January 1975. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ↑ Maniruzzaman, Talukder (1975). "Bangladesh: An Unfinished Revolution?". The Journal of Asian Studies. 34 (4). Cambridge University Press: 891–911. doi:10.2307/2054506. ISSN 0021-9118. JSTOR 2054506. S2CID 154434833. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ↑ Ekattorer Birjoddha, Khetab Pawa Muktijoddhader Birtogatha (Second Volume). Prothoma Prokashon. March 2013. p. 62. ISBN 9789849025375.
- ↑ Sarkar, Ashutosh (19 November 2009). "Farooq's confession". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
- ↑ Ali, Syed Muazzem (2 November 2005). "Fakhruddin Ahmed: Some recollections". The Daily Star. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
- ↑ "Former Consuls General". Consulate General of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Hong Kong. Retrieved 31 July 2021.[permanent dead link] New govt site
- ↑ "Dalim goes on air". The Daily Star. 15 August 2016. Archived from the original on 9 November 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Mascarenhas, Anthony (1986). Bangladesh: a legacy of blood. London: Hodder and Stoughton. ISBN 978-0-340-39420-5.
- ↑ Ahmad, Hafiz Uddin (15 August 2025). "১৫ আগস্ট হত্যাকাণ্ডের পর সেনানিবাসে কী ঘটেছিল" [What happened in the cantonment after the August 15 massacre]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali).
- ↑ "Shame darker than the night". The Daily Star. 15 August 2016. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
- ↑ Dalim, Shariful Haq (1 November 2011). Bangladesh, Untold Facts. Jumhoori Publications. ISBN 978-9699739408.
- ↑ "Shahriar's confession". The Daily Star. 19 November 2009. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
- ↑ "'Col Jamil involved, Khaled Mosharraf key plotter'". bdnews24.com. Archived from the original on 9 November 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
- ↑ "Where are they?". The Daily Star. 19 November 2009. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
Dalim lives in Pakistan and often travels to Libya, in particular Benghazi... Wali-ur Rehman said Dalim has business in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, and some other African countries. He even has managed a Kenyan passport.
- ↑ ইলিয়াসের লাইভ টকশোতে ১৫ই আগস্ট সম্পর্কে যা বললেন মেজর ডালিম বীর বিক্রম. Daily Inqilab (in Bengali). Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ↑ লাইভ সাক্ষাৎকারে মেজর ডালিম কী বললেন?. Janakantha. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ↑ ৫০ বছরের সব প্রশ্নের উত্তর দিলেন, বীর মুক্তিযোদ্ধা মেজর ডালিম (বীর উত্তম) #eliashossain #মেজর_ডালিম (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Col Rashid's daughter held for blast link". The Daily Star. 24 October 2009. Archived from the original on 17 November 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- ↑ "Banned books that have made a comeback". The Business Standard. 13 September 2024. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024.