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DHAKA: The cabinet Monday decided to confer `Friends of Bangladesh Award on Colonel (retd) Ashok Tara, a retired officer of the Indian Army, for his outstanding contribution to the War of Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971.
The decision came from the regular cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
After the meeting, Cabinet Secretary M Mosharraf Hossain Buiyan said Ashoke Tara, the then major of the Indian Army served as commander of the 14 Guard Regiment Company of Allied Force in 1971, fought at Dhaloi, Gangasagar, Brahamanbaria and Bhairab area.
With immense courage Major Ashoke freed Begum Fazilatunessa Mujib, Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Rehana, Sheik Russell from a house at Dhanmondi on December 17, 1971 where they were kept under house arrest by the Pakistani occupation force, he added.
Earlier, the Indian government honoured Ashoke with gallantry award `Beer Chakra` for his contribution to the War of Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971.
BDST: 2215 HRS, JUN 25, 2012
Edited by: Mohammed Humayun Kabir, Sr Newsroom Editor