# Mir Shawkat Ali

Mir Shawkat Ali, BU, ndc, psc (11 January 1938 – 20 November 2010) was a three star general in Bangladesh Army and also a politician of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. He was a freedom fighter during the Bangladesh Liberation War and a sector commander of the Mukti Bahini. He was the state minister of food, and cabinet minister of labour and manpower. He was a war hero and awarded the Bir Uttom for his contribution during the Bangladesh Liberation War.

## Early life

He was born in Nazirabazar, Dacca of then Bengal Province, British India (now in Dhaka Division, Bangladesh) on 11 January 1938. He studied at Mahuttuli Free Primary School in Dhaka. He graduated from Armanitola Government High School in 1953 and Dhaka College in 1955. After graduation, he joined the Pakistan Military Academy. In 1958, he received his commission in Pakistan Army.

## Military career
### In Pakistan Army

He was commissioned in the 1st East Bengal Regiment (Senior Tigers) but served in a number of units including the military intelligence department. His first experience of battle came from the 1965 Indo-Pak War in Rangpur border. He joined the Eighth East Bengal Regiment in 1971 at Sholasahar, Chittagong.

### Bangladesh Liberation War

After Operation Searchlight on 25 March 1971, he revolted with his unit, the Eighth East Bengal Regiment. He joined the Bangladesh Liberation War. On 30 March 1971, he was given command of the Entire Regiment.
He commanded the Battle of Kalurghat in April 1971. After Kalurghat fell, he retreated to Bandarban with his unit. He crossed the border into India. After the formation of Mujibnagar Government, he was appointed Sector-5 commander. He commanded 12 thousand men in his sector. In August 1971, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
For his gallantry, he was awarded Bir Uttom, the second highest award in Bangladesh for his role in the war.

### In Bangladesh Army

He formed the Infantry Brigade in Chittagong from 1972 to 1974. In 1975, he was made the Chief of General Staff of Bangladesh Army. He was chairman of Old Dhaka Development Committee and president of Bangladesh Football Federation (1976–78), Chief Martial Law Administrator of Dhaka.
From 1980 to 1985, he was the Principal Staff Officer of the Bangladesh Army and retired at the rank of Lieutenant General on 1985. After him, the principal staff post was suspended for nearly six years by President Hussain Muhammad Ershad whom was without an intermediary charge of Armed Forces Division, succeeding him by Major general Atiqur Rahman as administrator at the AFD headquarters.

## Political career

After retirement, he served as the ambassador to Egypt, Austria, United Kingdom, Sudan, Germany, and Portugal. He resigned his diplomatic post in protest against the dictatorship of Hussain Muhammad Ershad.
He joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party shortly afterwards. In 1991, he was elected to parliament from Dhaka-8. He was the state minister Food, and cabinet minister of Labour and Manpower. He was the vice president of Sector Commanders Forum.

## War criminals trial

As a freedom fighter, he took issue with BNP's alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami since their top leaders were accused of war crime. He left BNP because of disagreements with chairperson Khaleda Zia regarding Jamaat-e-Islami inclusion in the Four Party Alliance. In a statement, he said:
   It hurts my conscience when I have to sit with Razakaar and al-Badrs at the same table. It reminds me of the days in 1971 when boys fought under my command and laid down their lives.
He was one of the pioneers of war crimes trial movement. He campaigned countrywide to raise support for the trial.

## Death

On 20 November 2010, he died in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He was buried with full military honors in Banani Military graveyard.