Brave Freedom Fighter Sakhina Begum Passes Away at 92
Sakhina Begum, the courageous freedom fighter from Kishoreganj, has passed away at the age of 92. She died of old age at 5 a.m. today (Tuesday) in Bajitpur upazila. The news was confirmed by her niece, Fairunnesa Akter, who had been caring for her in her final years.
At 8 a.m., Fairunnesa's son, Kawser Mia, informed Prothom Alo via mobile that her funeral prayer would be held this afternoon after the Asr prayer at Gurui field in Nikli upazila. She will be laid to rest at the Gurui area cemetery. Nikli Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Rehana Mojumder has confirmed that state funeral arrangements are underway for Sakhina Begum.
Family members shared that Sakhina Begum was born in the haor-region village of Gurui in Nikli, Kishoreganj. She had no children. Her husband, Kitab Ali, passed away before the Liberation War. According to local freedom fighters and historical accounts, Sakhina Begum was one of the courageous women who played a vital role during the war, and her bravery is still remembered by the local community.
In 1971, her nephew Motiur Rahman was martyred in a battle against Pakistani forces and Razakars. At that time, Sakhina Begum served as a cook at the ‘Basu Bahini’ camp in Gurui, Nikli, and secretly gathered intelligence on Razakar movements, which she relayed to freedom fighters.
At one point, she was captured by the Pakistani army but managed to escape. During her escape, she carried a sharp dao (traditional weapon), which she later used to kill five Razakars in Nikli. The same dao is now preserved in the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka, where her name is honored on a commemorative plaque.
In recognition of her extraordinary bravery and contribution to the Liberation War, Sakhina Begum was awarded the title of Bir Muktijoddha (Heroic Freedom Fighter).
