Rear Admiral Khondkar Misbah ul Azim joined Bangladesh Navy (BN) on 01 January 1987.

The officer underwent basic naval officer’s training in Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and received his commission with distinction in the Executive Branch. He was adorned as the 1st in seniority and merit in hisbatch of 87A class of BN.

He completed his specialization on Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) from INS Venduruthy, India with the best student award. He is a graduate of Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC), Mirpur and Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, India.

He is a distinguished alumnus of Armed Forces War Courses (AFWC), NDC, Bangladesh and also a graduate of the National Defence University (NDU), China.

Rear Admiral Azim is a coveted recipient of Nou-Bahini Padak (NBP) the highest peace time award for his extraordinary service in Bangladesh Navy. He also received Naval Efficiency Medal (NPP) for his meritorious accomplishment. Rear Admiral Azim also received National Integrity Award.

He also received Chief of Naval Staff’s commendations three times for his outstanding performances in Anti-Piracy Operations and for his distinctive achievements in the professional realm.

He has rare distinction of receiving both the Bir Shresto Ruhul Amin Award from DSCSC, Mirpur and the best Individual Research Paper award from NDC (AFWC).

He received National Scout Award Silver-Hilsa Medal for his outstanding contributions in scout movement.

In his long and illustrious career he held prestigious positions as the Commander Chattogram Naval Area (COMCHIT), Commander Dhaka Naval Area (COMDHAKA) and Commander Submarine (COMSUB).

He commanded all kinds of BN ships and prominent bases, which include BNS SHAH AMANAT, BNS SAIKAT, BNS NIRBHOY, BNS S R AMIN, and time-honoured BN Frigate BNS UMAR FAROOQ (F-16).

He commanded Naval Base BNS TITUMIR and also performed as the distinguished Commandant and Commanding Officer of Bangladesh Naval Academy (BNA).

Rear Admiral Azim performed the duties of Director Naval Operations (DNO), Director Multinational Operations (DMNOD), Director SD & Ceremony and Director of Plans in Naval Headquarters. In instructional arena, he performed as the executive officer of guided-missile Frigate BNS OSMAN (F-18), while deployed in Mediterranean-Sea under United Nations Emblem, (UNIFIL). He has also served as a Military Observer in UN Mission in DR Congo (MONUC).

Rear Admiral Azim obtained Masters in Defence Studies (MDS) from National University Bangladesh, MSc in Strategic Studies from Madras University, India and his third Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from National Defence University, China, obtaining 1st class in all.

The officer has ‘MPhil’ degree in his credit and also earned a coveted ‘PhD’ degree successfully under Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) on Contemporary Maritime Governance issues. He has a number of articles published in various Journals to his credit.

Besides proficiency in Bangla and English, he can also speak Malay (Malaysian/ Indonesian/ Brunei) and little French.

In student life, Rear Admiral Azim received Chancellor Award from Hon’ble President for his outstanding academic feat for being placed in the combined merit list in both SSC and HSC examinations. Rear Admiral is a voracious reader, who also likes to write. He is an avid golfer and likes chess, basketball, table tennis and watching sports. He has a penchant to remain updated on contemporary world affairs.

In personal life, Rear Admiral Azim is married to Mrs. Nurtaz Azim (former Chairman, Bangladesh Navy Family Welfare Association, Chattogram). In their close-knit family, the couple is blessed with two lovely daughters Nuzabah and Mehtaz. Nuzabah is currently working in PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Bangladesh and Mehtaz is pursuing her under graduate studies in Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington, USA.