Ziaur Rahman

Ziaur Rahman (19 January 1936 – 30 May 1981) was the eighth President of Bangladesh, a former army chief and a freedom fighter. After the Pakistani military attacked the Bengali people on 25 March 1971, he rebelled by capturing his Pakistani commander and mounted an armed resistance. Later, on 27 March 1971, he read out a statement declaring the independence of Bangladesh from the Kalurghat radio station in Chittagong. He was one of the sector commanders and commander of Z Force during the Liberation War. The Bangladesh government awarded him the title of Bir Uttam for his bravery in the Liberation War.