AM Ataul Haque
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Lt. AM Ataul Haque, also known as AW Chowdhury , was the first Chief of the Bangladesh Navy, serving until 1972, and a veteran of the Bangladesh Liberation War.[1] A former officer of the Royal Indian Navy, he later joined the Pakistan Navy before defecting in 1971 to participate in the war for Bangladesh’s independence. He played a key role in the post-war formation of the Bangladesh Navy.[2]
Haque joined the Royal Indian Navy in 1945.[3] Following the partition of India in 1947, he continued his service in the Pakistan Navy.[3]
After the start of the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, Haque renounced his allegiance to the Pakistan Navy and joined Bangladesh’s independence war.[3] His defection was part of a broader wave of Bengali military personnel who sided with the Mukti Bahini.[3] He served in Sector 10, the naval sector, during the war.[4]
Following Bangladesh's victory in December 1971, Haque made significant contributions to the organisation and development of the newly formed Bangladesh Navy.[3][5] Till April 1972, he was the acting chief of the Bangladesh Navy.[2]