A. W. Chowdhury
Abdul Wahed Chowdhury | |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 October 1940 |
| Allegiance |  Pakistan (before 1971) Bangladesh |
| Service |  Pakistan Navy Bangladesh Navy |
| Years of service | 1962 - 1997 |
| Rank |  Commodore |
| Commands |
|
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards |  Bir Uttom |
Abdul Wahed Chowdhury is a one-star retired officer of the Bangladesh Navy and a veteran of the Bangladesh Liberation War, notable for leading Operation Jackpot.[1][2][3] He was awarded Bir Uttam, the highest living military award in Bangladesh, for his contributions during the war.[1]
Career
[edit]At the outbreak of war, Chowdhury was one of eight Bengali officers of the Pakistan Navy training in Paris.[4] He was serving in PNS Mangro.[5][6] They had decided to defect after being inspired by the 7th March speech of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and hearing about the start of Operation Searchlight.[5] They went to India and trained under the Indian Navy in the Jamuna River near New Delhi.[4] More defectors from the Pakistan Navy and 150 student volunteers joined them.[4] After training, they were divided into groups and sent to Chittagong, Daudkandi, Narayanganj, and Mongla.[4] Chowdhury was sent to lead the Chittagong Group with 60 members.[4][7] He Operation Jackpot.[1] His group destroyed seven ships during the war, including MV Al-Abbas and MV Ohrmazd, cargo ships of the Pakistan military.[4] Later, the sector was commanded by Commander MN Sumanta of the Indian Navy.[4] He served with Faruk E Azam.[8]
Chowdhury represented Bangladesh in the 1995 South East Asia Symposium.[1] He retired from Bangladesh Navy in January 1997.[1] He expressed support for the Awami League ahead of the 2018 general election.[9]
In January 2025, Chowdhury delivered a lecture at the National Defence College.[10]
Bir Uttam A. W. Chowdhury Road was named after Chowhdury.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Commodore A.W Chowdhury". JLF Brave New World. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ^ "Abu Musa Chowdhury: A Naval Commando of Repute". Daily Sun. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ^ "Choking Pakistan's artery: A naval commando story". The Business Standard. 25 March 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g "War of Liberation, The - Banglapedia". en.banglapedia.org. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Naval Commandos in Operation Jackpot". The Daily Star. 26 March 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ Odrika, Tasnim (2 April 2021). ""Operation Jackpot brought us three steps closer to liberation"". The Daily Star. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ Mahmud, Sezan (25 September 2014). Operation Jackpot: A true, untold story of naval commando operations in the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971. Rupantar Publication.
- ^ Dutta, Pradip Kumar (26 July 2022). "Abu Musa Chowdhury: A Naval Commando of Repute". Daily Sun. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ^ "150 retired armed forces officers express solidarity with AL". Daily Sun. 27 November 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ^ "Lecture on The War of Liberation: A Memoir". National Defence College. 27 January 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ "ASN Information for 55406 26 Shyamoli Bir Uttam A. W. Chowdhury Road". IP2Location. Retrieved 7 April 2025.