Mohammad Abdur Rab (Bir Uttam)

Mohammad Abdur Rab, Bir Uttom (মোহাম্মদ আব্দুর রব) (born 1919 - died 1975) also known as M A Rab, was the first Chief of Staff of the Bangladesh Army from April 10th 1971 till 6th April 1972.

Early life
Abdur-Rab was born at village of Khagaura under Baniachang thana of Habiganj in 1919. A lifelong bachelor, he was elected as lawmaker from the Jatiya Sangsad constituency comprising Baniachang and Ajmiriganj thanas.

Death
Abdur-Rab died 14 November 1975 at the Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka at age 56. He had been suffering from ailments including anemia. He was laid to rest at his village of khagaura on the banks of Khowai River in Habiganj.

His younger brother Abdur Rahim said that no pension was paid to any of his family members. Abdur Rab's grave is at the district headquarters of Habiganj. Other than some local freedom fighters, nobody was seen to go visit the site, even on the country's national days.

After independence of Bangladesh
Abdur Rab was honoured with the 'Bir Uttam', the country's second highest award. He was also given the rank of Major General. He was awarded the Independence Day Award posthumously in 2000.