Journo leader Altaf Mahmood dies

Altaf Mahmud, president of the pro-Awami League faction of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), died at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) this morning. He was 66.

Altaf Mahmud, executive editor of the Bangla daily Destiny, breathed his last at 8:40am at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital.

Brigadier General (Retd) Abdul Majid, director (Hospital) of BSMMU, confirmed the matter to UNB.

Altaf Mahmud, a permanent member of the National Press Club, had been suffering from neurological problems and undergoing treatment at the hospital.

He is survived by wife, one son, two daughters and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed profound shock at the death of Altaf Mahmud.

His first namaz-e-janaza was held at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) around 11:30am, Bangla daily Prothom Alo reports quoting DRU Secretary Raju Ahmed. Altaf's second namaz-e-janaza was held at Jatiya Press Club around noon, Kamrul Islam Chowdhury, general secretary of the press club, told the daily.

His body will be buried at his village home in Golachipa upazila of Patuakhali district, according to the daily.

Muhammad Shafiqur Rahman and Kamrul Islam Chowdhury, president and general secretary of the National Press Club, expressed deep shock at the demise of Altaf Mahmud and also conveyed their sympathy to the bereaved family members.