Today marks the 55th martyrdom anniversary of Bir Sreshtho Shaheed Sepoy Hamidur Rahman, the youngest recipient of the country’s highest gallantry award, who was killed fighting Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation War.

Hamidur Rahman was martyred on October 28, 1971, during a face-to-face battle with Pakistani troops near the Dhali border in Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar district.

At dawn that day, the young soldier reportedly launched a grenade attack that destroyed a Pakistani military position near a then-border outpost of the East Pakistan Rifles (EPR). He was shot dead by Pakistani forces while returning from the operation.

Born on February 2, 1953, in Khorda Khalishpur village of Maheshpur upazila in Jhenaidah district, Hamidur Rahman was the son of Akkas Ali Mondal and Kaymunnesa. He was only 18 when he laid down his life for Bangladesh’s independence.

He is the youngest among the seven freedom fighters posthumously awarded the Bir Sreshtho, Bangladesh’s highest gallantry honour.

A memorial has been erected at the site of the battle amid the lush tea gardens along the Dhali border. A museum dedicated to the war hero has also been established in the area, featuring information and photographs documenting the Liberation War.

The Bir Sreshtho Sepoy Hamidur Rahman Museum in Dhali Tea Garden draws local and international visitors seeking to learn about the young soldier’s sacrifice and his role in the country’s struggle for independence.

Every year on October 28, the Kamalganj upazila administration and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) pay tribute to the fallen hero by laying wreaths at his memorial.