Mohammad Ashraf Ali Khan (soldier)

Khan joined the Pakistan Army in 1956 and served in various roles leading up to the Liberation War in 1971.^[3] In 1971, he was posted at Joydebpur Cantonment as a Naik Subedar in the 2nd East Bengal Regiment.^[3] Following the mutiny at the cantonment, he left the post on 27 April and moved to Gopalganj.^[3] From there, he crossed into India and joined the war effort under Sector 2, commanded by Khaled Mosharraf.^[3]

On 3 December 1971, Khan was stationed with a platoon near Azampur, close to Akhaura Rail Junction, along the Dhaka–Chattogram–Sylhet railway line.^[3] The area was of strategic importance and frequently patrolled by Pakistan military.^[3] In the early hours of the morning, Pakistan Army launched a surprise attack on the Mukti Bahini position.^[3] A heavy battle ensued, with continuous shelling and increasing casualties among the fighters.^[3] Despite the intensity of the conflict, Khan and his commanding officer, Lieutenant Ibne Fazal Badiuzzaman, coordinated a counterattack.^[3] The Pakistani troops were eventually forced to retreat towards Brahmanbaria.^[3]

During the engagement, Khan was fatally wounded by enemy gunfire.^[3] He died on the battlefield before medical assistance could reach him. He was buried near Azampur Railway Station.^[3] In the same battle, eight other freedom fighters, including Lieutenant Ibne Fazal Badiuzzaman, were also killed.^[3] The battle resulted in the liberation of the Azampur railway area and its surroundings.^[3] Three days later, Akhaura was liberated under the command of Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury.^[4]

Khan was married to Nurun Nahar Khanam.^[5] They had two daughters.^[5]