Nuruddin Khan

Nuruddin Khan is a retired Lieutenant General of the Bangladesh Army who served as Chief of Army Staff of the Bangladesh Army (1990–1994),^[1] and served as Energy Minister of Bangladesh (1996–1997). He did not pursue a political career after the Awami League government, in which he served, ended in 2001.

Lieutenant General Nuruddin Khan
Lt. General Nuruddin Khan
State Minister of Energy
In office 23 June 1996 – 15 July 2001
Prime Minister	Sheikh Hasina
6th Chief of Army Staff
In office 31 August 1990 – 30 August 1994
President	Hussain Muhammad Ershad Shahabuddin Ahmed (acting) Abdur Rahman Biswas
Prime Minister	Kazi Zafar Ahmed Khaleda Zia
Preceded by	Atiqur Rahman
Succeeded by	Abu Saleh Mohammad Nasim
Personal details
Born	(1940-08-31) 31 August 1940 (age 84) Monohardi, Bengal, British India
Military service
Allegiance	Pakistan (1959–1971) Bangladesh (1971–1994)
Branch	Bangladesh Army  Pakistan Army
Service years	1959–1994
Rank	Lieutenant General
Unit	Corps of Engineers
Commands	Chief of Army Staff CGS of Bangladesh Army GOC of 9th Infantry Division Director of Military Operations at Army Headquarters Commandant of Engineer Centre and School of Military Engineering

Early life

Khan graduated from Gurudayal Government College in Kishoreganj.^[2]

Military career

Nuruddin Khan was commissioned from 20 PMA long course on 17 October 1959.

During the assassination of Sheikh Mujib, he was serving as Director of Military Operations. While, during the assassination of General Zia, he was Chief of General Staff.^[3]

Khan was instrumental in putting down Major General Manzur's coup attempt. He informed General Ershad about the assassination and helped set up a meeting to figure out how to tackle the situation.^[3] Brigadier Hannan, on behalf of General Manzur contacted him to ask for negotiations. However, Khan refused and demanded an unconditional surrender.^[3] According to journalist, Anthony Mascarenhas, Manzur later directly contacted General Khan and, although it was unclear what was said in the conversation, it made Manzur lose hope and convinced him to flee.^[3]

In November 1990, then President Hossain Mohammad Ershad promoted Khan to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed him as the Chief of Army Staff of the Bangladesh Army.^{[citation needed]}

However, he voiced support for pro-democracy protests that eventually forced Ershad to resign.^[4]Moreover, he refused Ershad's pleas for help and instead supported the transition to democracy.^[5]

Political career

A member of the Awami League (AL), Khan was elected to parliament from Narsingdi-4 in the June 1996 Bangladeshi general election. Sheikh Hasina appointed him Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources.^[6] His party colleagues criticized him harshly after the country experienced severe power shortages and fuel prices rose sharply. Because of their dissatisfaction with his management of the situation, he was demoted to the housing ministry in May 1998.^[7][8]

Personal life

Khan is married and has two daughters and a son. His son briefly served in the Bangladesh Army. Khan and his wife reside in the Mohakhali DOHS of the capital, Dhaka.^{[citation needed]}

Support for Bangladeshi democracy

During the July Uprising, Khan spoke at a press conference of former army officers jointly calling for the armed forces to refrain from attacking the protesters.^[9] He stated:

“The damage, suffering, and bloodshed caused by firing on students is heartbreaking. I was reassured by the statement made by General Waker-Uz-Zaman yesterday (August 3). I hope he will stick to that decision. No more blood should be spilled in this country.”

This is the second time that he has voiced support for pro-democracy protests, having previously supported the movement against Ershad.^[5]

Awards and decorations

	Nirapattya Padak (Nirapattya Padak)
Plaban 1988 Padak (Plaban 1988 Padak)	Joy Padak (Joy Padak)	Songbidhan Padak (Songbidhan Padak)	Jesthata Padak III (Jesthata Padak III)
Jesthata Padak II (Jesthata Padak II)	Jesthata Padak I (Jesthata Padak I)	Sitara-e-Harb 1965 War (War Star 1965)	Tamgha-e-Jang 1965 War (War Medal 1965)