President, PM pay homage to armed forces’ martyrs

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to members of Bangladesh Armed Forces, who made supreme sacrifices in the Liberation War in 1971, on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day today.

The president, also the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, placed wreaths at the altar of Shikha Anirban (eternal flame) at 8:00am and stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of respect to memories of the martyrs.

A smartly turned out contingent of the army, the navy and the air force presented a salute on the occasion. Later, President Abdul Hamid signed the visitors’ book on the premises of the Shikha Anirban.

The prime minister paid the homage by placing a wreath at Shikha Anirban (flame eternal) at Dhaka Cantonment.

After laying the wreath, she stood there in solemn silence for some time as a mark of respect to the memories of the martyrs.

A smartly-turned out contingent drawn from the Army, Navy and Air Force presented a guard of honour as the bugle played the last post. Later, the prime minister, also in-charge of the Ministry of Defence, signed the visitors' book on the Shikha Anirban premises.

Earlier on her arrival, the chiefs of the three services and the principal staff officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division received the prime minister.

After the wreath-placing ceremony, Hasina went to the Armed Forces Division (AFD) where the chiefs of the three services made a courtesy call on her.

On her arrival at the AFD, the premier was received by the PSO and directors generals of the AFD.

On this day during the War of Liberation 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.

Since the country's independence, this historic day is observed as the Armed Forces Day every year.