Armed forces day observed paying tributes to martyrs

The Armed Forces Day was observed Monday across the country by paying deep homage and tribute to the memories of the brave sons of the armed forces who made supreme sacrifices for the freedom of their motherland during the country's War of Liberation in 1971, reports BSS. On this day in 1971, the Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising Army, Navy and Air Force, came into being and launched an all out attack on the Pakistani occupation forces. After the independence of the country, this historic day is being observed as the Armed Forces Day every year. The day's programme began with offering of Munajat seeking divine blessings for the well-being and prosperity of the nation and development and progress of the Armed Forces after the Fazr Prayers in all mosques at Army garrisons, Naval bases and establishments as well as Air Force bases throughout the country. President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces M Zillur Rahman, and Prime Minister (PM) and Defence Minister Sheikh Hasina placed wreaths at the Shikha Anirban paying tributes to the memory of the Armed Forces martyrs. Chief of Army Staff General M Abdul Mubeen, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral ZU Ahmed and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal S M Ziaur Rahman also laid wreaths at the Shikha Anirban on behalf of their respective services. The chiefs of three services paid a courtesy call on the President at Bangabhaban and the PM at the Armed Forces Division (AFD) at Dhaka Cantonment. During the meeting, President Rahman said, ongoing endeavour of the government to modernise the armed forces would continue in the coming days. "The government has given top priority to modernising the armed forces," he said. The Prime Minister accorded a reception to the successors of Bir Shresthas as well as the selected gallantry award recipient freedom fighters (FFs) and their successors at the Armed Forces Division at Dhaka Cantonment. Chiefs of Staff of the three services also accorded receptions to the members of the Shaheed families, award winning and retired FFs of their respective services. Meanwhile, programmes have also been chalked-out to celebrate the historic day in a befitting manner in all army garrisons, naval ships and establishment and air force bases throughout the country. Besides, evening receptions were held at Savar, Bogra, Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet, Ghatail, Comilla, Jessore, Rangpur, Rajendrapur Cantonments and BNS Titumir. Bangladesh Navy ships remained open to visitors from 2:00pm to 4:30pm in Dhaka (Sadarghat), Narayanganj, Chittagong, Khulna, Barisal and Mongla. Special programmes illustrating the significance of the day were telecast by the Bangladesh Television and other private television channels. Bangladesh Betar also broadcasted a special programme on the day. Besides, the national dailies brought out special supplements and journals in observance of the day.