Jhalakathi Correspondent

A freedom fighter and a motorcycle driver have been killed in a road accident in Jhalakathi’s Nalchity Upazila.

The accident occurred in front of the Euro Market in the Shatpakia area of the Upazila on the Jhalakathi-Barishal highway around 10:30pm on Friday, according to Abdus Salam, chief of Nalchity Police Station.

The deceased Liberation War veteran was identified as Mafiz Uddin, 80, from the Bariyara Munshi Bari area of the Sadar Upazila’s Nathullabad Union.

The deceased driver was identified as Al Amin Taheni, 38, who hailed from Madaripur Upazila and lived in a rented house in the Jhalakathi College intersection area.

Yunus Howlader, Mafiz’s nephew, said: “My uncle was leaving his son-in-law Abul Hossain’s tea stall and crossing the road when he was hit by a motorcycle veering out of control. The driver and my uncle were both thrown off the south side of the road. They were rushed to Jhalakathi Sadar Hospital, where a doctor declared both of them dead.”

Mafiz deserted the Pakistan Army and joined the Liberation War. He was married twice. He had a son and two daughters from his first marriage to Kulsum Begum and three daughters and a son from his second marriage.

He had lived in Jashore with his second wife for over 30 years before her death seven years ago. Since then, Mafiz has lived with Momtaz Begum, one of the daughters from his first marriage.

Mostafa Kamal Montu, former district commander of the Jhalakathi Freedom Fighter Council, said: “Mafiz Uddin was a brave warrior on the battlefield. The freedom fighters of Jhalakathi are saddened by his unexpected death.”

Police personnel have been sent to the scene of the accident and the hospital, OC Salam said. The bodies of the victims are still at the Jhalakathi Sadar Hospital and have yet to undergo an autopsy.