Three Bangladeshi peacekeepers, who died on a United Nations mission in the Central African Republic, were supposed to return home in December.
Their family members had been eagerly waiting for their homecoming ever since they went on the mission, but the scenario has changed now.
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Their wailing family members are now waiting with heavy hearts only to receive their loved ones' bodies.
Jashim Uddin, 31, Jahangir Alam, 26, and Sharif Hossain, 26, were killed as an improvised explosive device went off in Kaita area of the Central African Republic on Monday.
Major Ashraful Haque was injured in the explosion.
The trio succumbed to their injuries at a hospital in Bouar town whereas the major was undergoing treatment there, said a statement from the Inter Service Public Relations Directorate (ISPR).
"Before going to the peacekeeping mission in 2021, my brother got married and aimed to spend time with the family after returning in December. Now we are waiting for his body", said Kawsar Talukdar, younger brother of Sharif.
"When my brother got a job in Bangladesh Army in 2017, my weaver father felt happy thinking that this would be the end to all odds. We felt proud when my brother went on the mission. With him, the light of our family went off", he added.
Sharif, son of Lebu Talukdar, of Berkharua village in Belkuchi municipality area of Sirajganj, was the first man of his family to get a government job, family members said.
"Sharif was the elder son of his family. With him, the family lost their dreams." Sharif's neighbour Abdur Rzahman said.
Peacekeeper Jasim's father freedom fighter Abdun Noor and only elder brother Julhas Uddin are lying in a confused condition.
Jasim's wife Sharmin Akter fell silent after losing her husband after eight years of their marriage.
Such a heartbreaking scene was seen at Jasim's native home at Khatinga of Paharpur union in Brahmanbaria's Bijoynagar upazila on Tuesday.
Jasim is the second of the two sons of freedom fighter Abdun Noor's first wife.
Visiting Jasim's home, this correspondent found that his freedom fighter father has fallen silent after hearing the news of Jasim's death.
His wife Sharmin Akter was repeatedly breaking down since the news reached her around 10:00pm on Tuesday. Jasim last talked to his family members on Monday.
Jashim's brother Julhas Uddin, assistant platoon commander of Ansar-VDP forces, said around 9:00am Tuesday Sylhet's 61 Bengal Regiment called him and reported Jasim's death.
Jasim went to Africa for the first time in his 10-year-long career nine months ago to participate in a UN peacekeeping mission. He has two sons aged six and four respectively, Julhas said.
Julhas also said, "My father fought for the country in 1971 and now my brother also gave his life for the country. So, I demand the government to bring my brother's body to the country as soon as possible. I also demand that the government must do something for his family and his children."
