Abdul Gani

Major Abdul Gani ( _bn. আবদুল গনি) (1919-November 11, 1957) was a Bengali military officer, who founded the East Bengal Regiment. [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/G_0034.htm Biography] from Banglapedia.]

Early life

Gani was born in Burichang Upazila of Comilla District, Bengal (now in Bangladesh). He studied in Comilla, and later in Calcutta, where, in 1940, he graduated from Calcutta Islamia College.

Military career

Abdul Gani joined the British Indian Army in 1941, during the Second World War. He was commissioned as a lieutenant, and fought in the Burma sector. As a mark for his courage, he was nicknamed "Tiger Gani".

In 1945, Gani founded a army regiment consisting of Bengali soldiers. Following the Partition of India, he was promoted to the post of a major in 1948. He founded the 1st East Bengal Regiment on 15 February, 1948. He retired from the Army in 1954.

Political career

Gani joined politics in 1954 and became a member of the East Pakistan Provincial Assembly as an independent candidate. During his tenure, he was instrumental in proposing the foundation of a Cadet College in East Pakistan.

Death

Gani died on November 11, 1957, in Frankfurt, West Germany. He had gone there as the leader of the Pakistan delegation at World Veteran Soldiers' Conference. He was buried in Mainamati Cantonment in Comilla.

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