Col Anisuzzaman was a brave soldier, a loving father, a devoted husband, and a caring son. He was 50 when his life was cut short by a hail of bullets from rebellious jawans during the bloody Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) mutiny on February 25, 2009. He died valiantly along with his courageous colleagues while doing his job, serving his country.

Anis was born on August 16, 1959 in Rajshahi's Naogaon district. His handsome appearance and endearing nature made him a captivating personality. His childhood was spent mostly in Dhaka, but often he travelled across the country with his bureaucrat father, who was transferred to various regions within and outside the country. He sat for his Secondary School Certificate examination from St Gregory's High School and High School Certification from Notre Dame College. While attending Dhaka University in the management department he wanted to serve his country and went to Bhatiary to attend the officers' training programme at the Bangladesh Military Academy in Chattogram. He became a commissioned officer of the army in 1980. He loved his country dearly and served with dedication and exemplary leadership. His various postings included adjutant of Bangladesh Military Academy, adjutant of East Bengal Regiment Centre, commanding officer, and personal assistant to the chief of army. he was also sent on deputation to the UN missions in Kuwait and Liberia. He passed the National Defence College (NDC) course with distinction. He served Bangladesh Rifles several times during his illustrious army career of over 29 years, the last one being fatal when he was posted at the Rifles Headquarters in Pilkhana as director of operations and training. Prior to his last posting, he was sector commander in Mymensingh. At that time, his team succeeded in recovering a large cache of arms. For his gallant role in that operation, he was awarded the Rifles Award, the highest honour for bravery in Bangladesh Rifles.

He married Nazma Zaman in 1991 and raised a loving family of two beautiful daughters and a son. He was very proud of his family and spent as much time with them as his demanding official responsibilities would allow him. His devotion to his mother was praiseworthy. After his father passed in early 2008, he moved his family to Dhaka to be with his ailing mother. While his posting was in Mymensingh, he was allowed to do his duty from Dhaka which took quite a toll on him. He devoted himself to taking care of his mother which he did out of deep love and sense of responsibility. Such was his devotion, that when he was transferred to Chattogram, just prior to his death, he requested a posting in Dhaka or to be retired from the army so that he could be with his mother. Every child has a special bond with one's mother but Anis' seemed special—loving, demanding, and tumultuous. His mother knew this and called him her sonar chhele or golden boy. 

Anis was methodical and organised in his approach, a trait he always had that was further refined by his military training. He was a champion debater and like his father, was good in extempore speech. He won awards for his oratory during his student life and during his military academy days. He loved to travel and did so widely at home and abroad visiting many countries of the world, initially with his father and later with his family. He had a passion for video recording and recorded events and his visits to places with patience. On one of his trips to the US, he recorded the major landmarks of Washington DC and had to answer for his activities to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Terrorism Task Force. When he was interviewed by them along with his only brother, he replied in his characteristic bold manner, "I believe it is my right as a visitor to record my visit, wouldn't you say?" At such response, the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force officers were flabbergasted and admired his courage. He was loved dearly by his peers, colleagues, and his subordinates. He was kind, caring, and enthralled all he met with his engaging presence. He was a magnetic figure and commanded respect and attention wherever he went. A patriot, he loved his country with passion. In one of his letters to his younger brother who was then going through the process of gaining permanent residency in a foreign land, he mused "…no matter what you do, never forget you are Made in Bangladesh." The ringtone of his mobile phone was "Ami Banglay gaan gai, ami Banglar gaan gai, ami amar amike chirodin ei Banglay khuja pai," which went silent forever on February 25, 2009. 

May the Almighty forgive Anis and his fallen comrades and grant them Jannah.

Md Ahsan-uz Zaman is a banker and brother of Col Anisuzzaman.

Views expressed in this article are the author's own.

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