Dhaka, Nov. 6 -- "I'll go on an operation against criminals tomorrow evening. Keep me in your prayers, mother." These were the last words Army member Titas Sheikh said to his mother over the phone on Wednesday night.

The following day, Thursday, he was shot and killed during a joint forces operation in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar.

Titas, 28, hailed from Laskardia village in Nagarkanda Upazila of Faridpur. His death has plunged his family into grief. His father, Afzal Sheikh, was left speechless after losing his son.

His mother, Rekha Begum, has been inconsolable, while his wife, Sumaiya Akter, broke down in tears after losing her husband.

According to Rekha, she last spoke to her son on Wednesday night. Titas had told her, "I'll go on an oper...