Armed Forces Day today (Tuesday)

The Armed Forces Day will be observed today (Tuesday) marking the founding of army, navy and air force during the 1971 Liberation War, reports BSS.

The day's programme will begin with the offering of special prayers after Fazr prayers at all mosques in all the cantonments, naval and air force bases throughout the country seeking divine blessings for the well-being and prosperity of the nation and progress of the armed forces, an Inter-Service Public Relation (ISPR) statement said.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting members of the armed forces on the occasion.

As part of the day's programme, the president and the premier will lay wreaths at the Shikha Anirban (the Eternal Flame) at the Dhaka Cantonment paying deep homage to the martyred members of the armed forces who laid down their lives during the Liberation War.

They will be followed by Army Chief General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq, Navy Chief Admiral Mohammad Nizamuddin Ahmed and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Abu Esrar in performing the ritual on behalf of their respective forces.

The chiefs of the three services will also call on the President at the Bangabhaban and the Prime Minster at the Armed Forces Division.

The Prime Minister will meet the family members of the Bir Shresthos and other gallantry award winning 1971 veterans at the Armed Forces Division at the Dhaka Cantonment. She will host a reception at Sena Kunja in the afternoon.

The Jatiya Sangsad speaker, chief justice, former presidents, leader of the opposition in parliament, cabinet members, Supreme Court judges, chief election commissioner, election commissioners, foreign envoys, high civil and military officers, the intelligentsia, senior journalists and other distinguished personalities will join the reception.

Savar, Bogra, Ghatail, Chittagong, Comilla, Sylhet, Jessore, Rangpur, Khulna and Rajendrapur cantonments will host receptions marking the day.

Various programmes have also been chalked out at different army garrisons, naval ships, installations and bases of the air force across the country outside Dhaka.

Bangladesh Navy in particular would keep their war ships open to visitors at the country's two seaports and riverports in Dhaka and Narayanganj and Barisal from 2.00 pm to 4.30pm on the day.