Nur Mohammad Sheikh

Nur Mohammad Sheikh (Bengali: নূর মোহাম্মদ শেখ; 26 February 1936 – 5 September 1971) was a Lance Nayek in East Pakistan Rifles during the Liberation War. He was killed in an engagement with the Pakistan Army while providing fire for covering the extrication of fellow soldiers at Goalhati in Jessore district on 5 September 1971. Nur Mohammad died saving his compatriots and inflicting casualties on his enemy. He was awarded Bir Sreshtho, Bangladesh's highest award for valor.[1]

Nur Mohammad Sheikh
Lance Nayek Nur Mohammad Sheikh Bir Sreshtho
Native name
নূর মোহাম্মদ শেখ
Born26 February 1936 (1936-02-26)
Mohishkhola, Narail, Khulna Division
Died5 September 1971 (1971-09-06) (aged 35)
Goalhati, Jessore
AllegianceBangladesh
RankLance Nayek
UnitEast Pakistan Rifles
Battles/warsBangladesh Liberation War
AwardsBir Sreshtho

Early life

Sheikh was born on February 26, 1936, in Moheshkhali village Narail.[2] His father is Mohammad Amanat Sheikh and his mother's name was Mosammat Jinnatunnesa Khanam. He lost his parents at an early age and continued his education up to seventh grade at local schools. As a child he loved theatre.[3] Sheikh was married to Fazilatunnesa (d. 2018).[4]

On 14 March 1959, Sheikh joined the East Pakistan Rifles.[5] After finishing elementary training, he was appointed at the Dinajpur sector.[3] He was transferred to Jessore sector on 1 July 1970. In March 1971, Sheikh was spending a vacation at his village. As the war started, he joined sector 8 and continued to take part at different battles at Jessore. He died on 5 September during the Goalhati Battle in Sutipur.

Battle of Goalhati and Death

Lance Nayek Nur Mohammad was selected as the captain of the Standing Patrol team at Goalhati in Jessore's Chutipur Camp that was established to monitor the Pakistan army.[6] On 5 September, Nur Mohammad was patrolling with 4 fellow soldiers. The Pakistan army managed to point out the position of Nur Mohammad's team and attacked them from three different sides. Nur Mohammad tried to retreat to his base while still engaging the Pakistani troops. Meanwhile, one of his fellow soldiers, Nannu Mia, was injured after a bullet hit him. Nur Mohammad tried to carry Nannu Mia towards safety while trying to fire his gun from different places as a trick to confuse the Pakistani troops into believing that there were more than four Bangladeshi rebels. In doing so, Nur Mohammad himself was hit by a mortar and his foot was destroyed. Even though he was seriously injured, Nur Mohammad decided to continue to provide cover fire for his team to escape. At the time, his fellow Sepoy Mostafa, urged Nur Mohammad to go with him. Mostafa even tried to force Nur Mohammad to go but Nur Mohammad refused to go and gave his light machine gun to Mostafa so that it would not be captured after his death. He kept a self loaded rifle with him and kept on fighting until he died.[3]

Legacy

Bir Shreshtha Noor Mohammad Public College at Pilkhana has been named in his memory.[7] He is survived by his widow Begum Fazilatunnesa and son Golam Mostafa.[8] He was buried in Kashipur under Sharsha upazila of Jessore district.[9] A hospital in Jessore is named after him.[10]

Grave of Nur Mohammad Sheikh along with other martyrs

References
  1. Unb. "FFs are greatest sons of soil: President". thedailystar.net. The Daily Star. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  2. Mukul, Manzurul Alam. "Bir Shrestha Nur Mohammad`s death anniversary today". risingbd.com. risingbd.com. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  3. Amin, Tusher. "The battle of Goalhati". archive.thedailystar.net. The Daily Star. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  4. "Bir Shreshtha Noor Mohammad's wife passes away". Dhaka Tribune. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  5. Staff. "Bir Shrestha Nur Mohammad's death anniv today". newstoday.com.bd. the Editor on behalf of Newscorp Publications Limited. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  6. Editor. "Sheikh, Birsrestha Nur Mohammad". en.banglapedia.org. Banglapedia. Retrieved 19 June 2015.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  7. Admin. "Welcome". noormohammadcollege.ac.bd. Birshreshtha Noor Mohammad Public College. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  8. BSS. "Bir Shrestha Nur Muhammad's death anniv observed". thefinancialexpress-bd.com. the Editor for International Publications Limited. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  9. BSS. "43rd death anniversary of Bir Shrestha Nur Mohammad tomorrow". bssnews.net. bssnews.net. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  10. Admin Info. "ABOUT US". jhenaidahcadetcollege.jessoreboard.gov.bd. JHENAIDAH CADET COLLEGE. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
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