Salauddin Mumtaz was a military officer who fought for the Bangladeshi side in the 1971 Bangladeshi War of Independence. He is honorifically designated Shahid for dying for the Bangladeshi cause, and was also posthumously given the title Bir Uttom, meaning "better among braves" in Bengali, the second-highest Bangladeshi award for gallantry.
In 1971 Salauddin was posted in Lahore, the then-West Pakistan. On 3 July 1971 with an intention of leaving Pakistan to join the independence fight in Bangladesh, he crossed the river Monawara Tabi of Maral area and entered India. At that time Mohiuddin Jahangir, Shahriar and Anam was his companions. This incidence of leaving Pakistan had got wide coverage in the then world media. He reported to overseas Government of BangladeshHigh commission at Kolkata and joined the East Bengal Regiment. After coming from Pakistan he even did not meet his mother at Feni. He was sent to sector 11 of East Bengal Regiment which was in Teldhala Camp, Meghaloy, India. The 'Z' force under the command of Major Ziaur Rahman was active on that place, Salauddin joined this force and appointed Commander of "Delta" Company. He involved in a dangerous plan to attack Border Out Post at Kamalpur. With an intention of reckoning the actual position of BOP of Kamalpur on 28 July along with Lieutenant Manna and others he visited the said BOP. During this visit they had to face two Pakistani patrol soldiers. Salahuddin had a fight with one of those soldiers. He with the help of Subedar Hai killed that Pakistani soldier and snatched his rifle. By this time firing also started from Pakistani side. Subedar Hai also snatched another rifle from the other soldier and that soldier was killed by Nayek Shafi. Along with those two rifles Salahuddin and his reckoning party came back to the camp. Under the command of Commanding Officer Major Moinul Hussain Chowdhury, the attack of Kamalpure BOP was launched on 30 July, 1971. The attack was made with two companies, Delta and Bravo from the North – East of the enemy camp. Captain Salahuddin Mumtaz commanded Delta on the left and Captain Hafiz commanded Bravo on the right. Battalion 'R' group under Major Moin was as a backup force. Major Zia was present with group 'R'. As the troops were moving towards the enemy post, the enemy artillery started firing heavily. As a result, the progress of the two companies became slow and encountered demise. The troop of Salauddin continued moving forward and entered the outer perimeter of the enemy camp. This attack was so vigorous that Pak army had to go back from their front line position. Delta Company crossed Pakistan bunker area, entered in the community center near the BOP and started a very close fighting. Subeder Hai and his group came very close to the Pakistani minefield. Salahuddin was at the right side of that group. A bomb blast before Subedar Hai and he lost his hand. Salahuddin did not stop, he was chasing Pakistani soldiers. Though casualties were increasing, the Bangladeshi fighters made progress through the minefield. At one stage of the fight, two shells dropped in front of Captain Salahuddin Mumtaz and he was killed.
Recognition
In addition to his designation as a Shahid and Bir Uttom, a cantonment of the Bangladeshi Army is named for him: Shahid Salahuddin Cantonment.
