DHAKA: Friday is the 43rd death anniversary of Martyr (Shaheed) Lance Naik Nur Mohammad Sheikh (widely known as Bir Sreshtho Nur Mohammad).

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 September 5, 1971.

Nur Mohammad Sheikh was born on February 26, 1936 at Moheshkhali village near the bank of the Chitra river in Narail.

However, he is going to be commemorated in Narail and Jessore simultaneously in a befitting manner on his death anniversary. Bir Shrestha Nur Mohammad Sheikh Trust and Narail district administration, Border Guard Bangladesh Jessore region and Sharsha upazila administration are likely to observe the day through different programs.

The commemoration programs include placing of floral wreaths at the grave of Bir Shrestha Nur Mohammad Sheikh in Kashipur in Sharsha of Jessore, Quran khwani, milad mahfil and discussion.

Bir Sreshtho Nur Mohammad lost his parents (Mohammad Amanat Sheikh and Mosammat Jinnatunnesa Khanam) at an early age and continued his education up to seventh grade at local schools, later getting married to a woman known as "Total Bibi".

According to Wikipedia, on March 14, 1959, he joined the East Pakistan Rifles. After finishing elementary training, Nur Mohammad Sheikh was appointed at the Dinajpur sector. He was transferred to Jessore sector on July 1, 1970.

In March 1971, Nur Mohammad 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 there on September 5 during the Goalhati Battle in Sutipur.

Nur Mohammad died fighting along but not before his compatriots were safe and he had inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy.

He, nevertheless, fought for his motherland and sacrificed his life for the country.

He was posthumously awarded the highest gallantry award "Bir Shrestho" for his bravery during the War of Liberation.

BDST: 0858 HRS, SEP 05, 2014