Sakhina Begum, a courageous female freedom fighter who famously killed five Razakars with a machete during Bangladesh’s Liberation War, passed away on Tuesday in Nikli upazila of Kishoreganj district. She was 92.
Family members confirmed that she breathed her last at around 5:00 am at her residence in Hilchiar Boromaipara of Bajitpur upazila due to age-related complications.
Her funeral prayer will be held after Asr at Gurui field in Nikli upazila, followed by burial.
Sakhina, daughter of Sonafar Mia and Dukhi Bibi from Guruoi village in Nikli upazila, is remembered as one of the bravest women to have taken up arms during the Liberation War of 1971. Trained under the local `Basu Bahini` resistance group, she actively participated in several direct combat operations against Pakistani forces.
Her bravery became legendary after she personally killed five Razakars in a fierce battle to liberate Nikli upazila. Earlier, her nephew Matiur Rahman was martyred in an operation to free the area on October 19, 1971.
Later that month, freedom fighters launched a decisive attack against occupying forces, during which Sakhina Begum`s extraordinary act of valor was recorded.
The machete she wielded in the battle is now preserved at the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka, bearing her name on its display plaque.
In 1998, she was awarded a government grant of Tk 50,000 in recognition of her heroic contributions.
Sakhina Begum spent her final years at her maternal aunt’s home in Barmaipara, where she passed away peacefully. Her legacy remains a proud chapter in the nation’s history.
