Ziaur Rahman, the president of Bangladesh, was assassinated by a faction of officers of Bangladesh Army, on May 30, 1981, in the south-eastern port city of Chittagong. Zia went to Chittagong to arbitrate a clash between the local leaders of his party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party. On the night of May 30, a group of officers, led by Major General Abul Monjur (the regional commander of the Chittagong Cantonment, and Zia's comrade from the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971), commandeered Chittagong Circuit House, the government residence where Zia was staying. There they shot dead Zia and several others.
After the assassination of Ziaur Rahman on 30 May 1981, Hussain Muhammad Ershad, the Chief of Army Staff, remained loyal[1] to the government and ordered the army to suppress the coup attempt of Zia's associates led by Major General Abul Manzoor. It is widely speculated that Monjur was used as a scapegoat and Ershad himself was behind the liquidation of President Zia; although never proven in any court of law, even when Zia's widow was in power in 1991-1996 and again in 2001-2006. While Maj Gen Abul Monjur was alleged to have become totally disillusioned with Zia over military and personnel issues (including transfer, which equalled demotion, to Chittagong), many later accused Ershad of having covertly organised that coup, using Monjur. One key issue that is discussed is whether a coup could have been organised from Chittagong, without also securing the capital city of Dhaka (which Ershad controlled). It is speculated that Ershad gave this support only because of the clear, national revulsion against the assassination of Zia.
Monjur's death - at first described as having been at the hands of an "enraged mob", but later shown in an autopsy report to have been via a gunshot to the back of the head - added to the mystery. The rest of the conspirators were tried in military court, and given sentences ranging from the death penalty to imprisonment.
Following Zia's death, Vice President of Bangladesh Justice Abdus Sattar became Acting President. He was elected in a popular vote in December 1981 but was deposed in 24 March 1982 by a bloodless coup by Ershad.
One of the accused of Zia's murder case, captain (Rtd.) Giasuddin Ahmed is now a Awami League member of Jatiya Sangshad from Gaffargaon Upazila, Mymensingh District.