Live Correspondent: Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Secretary AYBI Siddiqi has passed away. He breathed his last around 1:30am today (Sunday) at the United Hospital in Dhaka, Assistant Inspector General (Media and Public Relations) Md Sohel Rana of the Bangladesh Police told the media.

Siddiqi, also known as Burhan Siddiqi, is survived by his wife Rehana Siddiqi, daughter Husna Siddiqi-Lawson, an information protection professional in London, UK, son-in-law Richard Lawson, son Lutfey Siddiqi, managing director of United Bank of Switzerland, and daughter-in-law Deborah Siddiqi, together with grandchildren Aaryan, Ishaan, Shirin and Tulin.

Siddiqi, who was the 16th IGP, joined the police service in 1970 as an assistant superintendent of police. He served as the IGP from September 27, 1998 to June 7, 2000.

His first namaz-e-janaza was held at 10:30am on Sunday at the SI Shiru Mia Auditorium of Rajarbagh Police Lines in presence of family members, present and former senior police officials, including IGP Benazir Ahmed. Following the namaj-e-janaza, a police contingent paid last respect to his coffin.

Later, IGP Benazir Ahmed placed wreath on the coffin of AYBI Siddiqi. Besides, DMP Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam and leaders of the Bangladesh Police Service Association paid respect to him placing wreath on his coffin.

After janaza, his body was sent to his village home at Sitakunda in Chattogram for burial under the supervision of police. He will buried at his family graveyard at South Rahmatnagar Mosque premises after the second namaj-e-janaza.

Siddiqi also served as a former secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources and Flood Control and the Local Government Division.

Amongst other milestones in his career, he was the commander of the first civilian peacekeeping contingent from Bangladesh to a UN mission - to Namibia in 1989.

Subsequently, he served as head of the Bangladesh High Commission to Namibia, having previously served at the diplomatic mission in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He was also a renowned television personality, as a presenter and singer.

Dhaka, 18 July (campuslive24.com)//BSC