DHAKA, Nov 21, 2019 (BSS) – The Armed Forces Day-2019 was celebrated today,
marking the founding anniversary of Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising army,
navy and air force.
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 which ultimately brought
independence for Bangladesh.
After the independence of the country, this historic day is observed as the
Armed Forces Day every year.
The day’s programme began with 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.
On the occasion, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
issued separate messages greeting members of the armed forces.
The President, also the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, placed a wreath
at the altar of Shikha Anirban (eternal flame) in the morning and stood there
in solemn silence for a while as a mark of respect to memories of the
martyrs.
Later, a smartly turned out contingent of the Army, Navy and Air Force
presented a salute on the occasion. President Hamid also signed the visitors’
book there.
Earlier, on his arrival at Shikha Anirban, Chiefs of the three services
and the Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division received
the President.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today paid rich tributes to the martyred
members of Bangladesh Armed Forces on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day-
2019.
The Prime Minister paid the homage by placing a wreath at the Shikha
Anirban (flame eternal) in Dhaka Cantonment this morning.
After laying the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for sometime as a mark
of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs, who made supreme
sacrifices during the War of Liberation.
A smartly-turned out contingent drawn from Army, Navy and Air Force
presented a guard of honour at that time, while bugle played the last post.
Later, Sheikh Hasina, also in-charge of the Ministry of Defence, signed
the visitors’ book kept on the premises of Shikha Anirban.
Earlier, on her arrival at Shikha Anirban, the premier was received by
Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Abu
Mozaffar Mohiuddin Mohammad Aurangzeb Chowdhury, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief
Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat and Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed
Forces Division (AFD) Lt Gen Md Mahfuzur Rahman.
After the wreath-placing ceremony, the prime minister went to the Armed
Forces Division (AFD) where the three chiefs of the armed forces made a
courtesy call on her.
On her arrival at the AFD, the Premier was received by the PSO and director
generals of the AFD.
To mark the Armed Forces Day, various programmes have also been chalked
out at different army garrisons, naval ships, installations and bases of the
air force across the country.