Shahidul Islam (Lalu)

Shahidul Islam (Lalu) was the youngest person to receive the award – Bir Pratik. He was only 10 when he took part in the Bangladesh Liberation War.

Lalu is the son of a poor farmer, who never had the chance to study. He is from Suti village of Gopalpur, a subdivision of Tangail.

Lalu went to Anwar Hossain Pahari and his group who were getting ready in the field of Keramjani Jawal School to obstruct the Pakistani Army. He was too young to go for war but he kept on insisting, so he was taken to carry out normal work.

Later Lalu went to India for training and by then his story was heard by Kader Siddique the leader of Kaderia Bahini. He took part in many Guerrilla operations and full credit of liberating Gopalpur Thana goes to him. His role included throwing grenade and gathering information in disguise.

After liberation of Bangladesh, on 24th of January Lalu along with the Kader Bahini submitted their weapons to the then President of Bangladesh. He also welcomed General Jagjit Singh Aurora, the head of the Mitro Bahini along with Kader Siddique in Tangail.

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*Bir Pratik