'I haven’t seen my son in 10 years'

For nearly ten years, Habi Paik worked far from home, carrying the hopes of his family in Munshiganj. Last Saturday, his life was cut short by a missile strike in Iraq. The news reached his wife, Khadija Akter, through a colleague’s phone call -- a call that shattered the entire family.

Confirming the incident, the 35-years-old's younger brother Firoz Paik said the colleague informed them on Monday that Habi was killed in a missile attack on Saturday.

Habi left behind two daughters -- Alisha, 14, and Habiba, 8 -- who now face an uncertain future.

“We appeal to the government to bring my brother’s body back home and ensure financial support for his two daughters,” Firoz said.

Reiterating the appeal, Habi's mother, Lucky Begum, broke down in tears, “I have not seen my son's face in 10 years. I just want to see him one last time.” His father, Noli Mia Paik, echoed the demand.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Munshiganj Sadar, Md Masudur Rahman, said the administration has provided Tk 25,000 to the family and assured them of support in repatriating the body and facilitating assistance from the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.