Pilot's father Shamsul Islam Mollah meets tragic end

Noted footballer and former Bangladesh cricket team skipper Khaled Masud Pilot's father Shamsul Islam Mollah drowned while taking a bath in a pond in Sagarpara area of Rajshahi city today.

Mr. Mollah, 75, accidentally fell into the pond and subsequently drowned around 11:00am, our Rajshahi staff correspondent reports quoting physicians and family members.

"My uncle had suffered a stroke last year, since then his movement was closely monitored but whenever he felt better he used to go to the pond to take a dip," said Manjur Alam Sohel, a cousin of Pilot.

He went to the pond today and he slipped into the pond but could not manage to make it to the bank, said Dr Chinmay Das, associate professor of community medicine department of Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH).

He remained missing for nearly four hours. Around 2:00pm, locals spotted his body floating in the pond, Pilot's cousin Sohel said.

He was pronounced dead at 2:10pm, Dr Chinmay said.

Khaled Masud Pilot, who was in Dhaka, is now on the way to home.

Mr. Mollah was a noted footballer who played for the Pakistan youth team. He also played for clubs like Abahani and Mohammedan in the Dhaka league after independence. He was a prolific forward during his playing career and popularly known as Shamsu Bhai in the football fraternity .

He left behind a son (Pilot), two daughters, his wife and a host of well-wishers to mourn his death.