By The Voice News Desk
Dhaka, August 4, 2025
Lieutenant General (Retd.) M Harun-ur-Rashid, Bir Protik, former Chief of Army Staff and a decorated war hero of Bangladesh, was found dead in his room at the Chittagong Club on Monday afternoon. He was 77.
Police and club authorities confirmed the discovery of his body in Room 308 after he failed to respond to multiple phone calls ahead of a scheduled court appearance. Harun had arrived in Chattogram the previous day to appear in court for a hearing related to a long-standing fraud case involving the controversial Destiny-2000 Group, where he served as president after his retirement from the military.
“He was due for a meeting in the morning. Since he wasn’t responding, we broke the glass door from the back balcony and found him lifeless on the bed,” said Deputy Commissioner Md Alamgir Hossain of Chattogram Metropolitan Police.
Chittagong Club Secretary and retired Navy officer Commander Md Ashraf Uddin told journalists that the military had sent a vehicle in the morning to pick up Harun. When calls went unanswered, club staff entered the room and found him dead.
The body was later taken to the Chittagong Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for formalities and autopsy. Although the exact cause of death remains unconfirmed, his cousin and physician Dr. Nazibun Nahar stated that Harun likely died from cardiac arrest. “He had pledged to donate his eyes after death,” she added.
Born on February 15, 1948, in Dholai Union of Hathazari, Chattogram, Harun-ur-Rashid joined the Pakistan Army and defected to join the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, serving in the 4th East Bengal Regiment. For his bravery, he was awarded the gallantry title Bir Protik.
He served as Bangladesh’s 10th army chief from December 24, 2000, to June 16, 2002. Post-retirement, Harun was appointed as Bangladesh’s ambassador to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji.
However, his legacy was complicated by his association with the Destiny Group, which was accused of defrauding investors of billions of taka. In 2022, a Dhaka court sentenced him to four years in prison for embezzlement, though he was later granted bail on health grounds.
According to Destiny Managing Director Rafiqul Amin, Harun had spoken to him the previous evening. “His flight was booked for the next morning. Everything seemed normal,” he said.
Law enforcement has indicated that a full investigation will follow pending the autopsy report. CID and Army Medical Corps officials have visited the scene but have not made public statements.
Harun is survived by his wife, a daughter living in Dhaka, and a son based in Australia.
