A Bangladeshi police officer has been killed in a road crash in Congo, police headquarters said today.

Rowshan Ara Begum, an additional inspector general of police, died during the crash that took place in capital Kinshasa on Sunday 6:30am local time.

It was a collision between a civilian lorry and the vehicle carrying her and others on the way to a Medal Parade of the Bangladesh Police Unit (BANFPU) that killed her on the spot.

The driver and two other passengers including Farzana, commander (SP), BANFPU, are safe, Md Sohel Rana, assistant inspector general at police headquarters, told The Daily Star.

Rowshan Ara Begum, ppm, ndc, joined police in February, 1988 and served in a variety of high-profile positions including Assistant Police Commissioner of the Accounts Section, Reserve Office, Traffic Division and Training Unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

Due to her dedication and hard work, she was the first woman police officer in the Bangladesh Police given the responsibility of a Superintendent of Police (SP) at the district level.

Rowshan was an advocate of women’s rights and worked with communities, political leaders, journalists, and others to create awareness of violence against women and children, by championing women’s rights issues and combating human trafficking.

As recognition, she was awarded the Anannya award in 1999 given to an outstanding woman in Bangladesh from the national magazine, Anannya.

She left behind her husband, a daughter, her colleagues.

PM mourns the death of additional IGP Rowshan Ara

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of additional IGP Rowshan Ara Begum who was killed in a road crash in Congo.

In a condolence message, the Prime Minister, who is now in London, prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.