Altaf Haider, who raised Bangladeshi flag first in Patuakhali, dies

Freedom fighter Altaf Haider, who hoisted Bangladesh's flag for the first time in Patuakhali district town in December 1971, passed away at the age of 83.

Haider died at his residence at Deuli village in Mirzaganj upazila at 9:50pm yesterday, reports our Patuakhali correspondent.

He was suffering from various old age related ailments.

Haider was the sub-sector commander of Sector-9 during the War of Liberation and hoisted the flag at Alauddin Children's Park in Patuakhali town on December 8, 1971, the day when Patuakhali was freed, said Nirmal Kumar Rakkhi, deputy commander of Patuakhali Muktijoddha unit.

He is survived by his wife, six daughters and two sons.

Mirzaganj Police Station's Officer-in-charge MR Shawkat Anwar Islam confirmed his death.

He will be buried in his family graveyard at 4:00pm today at the Pallimangal Secondary School.