UHB, Dhaka :The Armed Forces Day marking the establishment of Bangladesh armed forces during the country’s Liberation War will be observed Friday with due solemnity and festivity.On this day in 1971, Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising Army, Navy and Air Force was established, and then they launched an all-out attack on the Pakistani occupation forces.President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia have issued separate messages on the occasion. In his message, the President said the nation remembers with deep gratitude the contribution of the armed forces personnel to the Liberation War. He prayed for the salvation of the departed souls of those who laid down their lives for the country’s independence and sovereignty.The Prime Minister in her message paid tribute to all martyrs of the liberation war, including all martyred soldiers of the armed forces. She said, the armed forces personnel have also been working in disaster management, and large-scale construction to serve the distressed people and in various nation-building activities alongside performing their professional duties. In her message, Khaleda Zia greeted the members of the Army, Navy and Air Force and wished them as well as their families continued happiness, peace and progress.The day’s programme will begin with the offering of munajat (special prayers) after Fajr prayers at all mosques at Army garrisons, naval bases and establishments as well as Air Force bases throughout the country. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths at ‘Shikha Anirban’ (the Eternal Flame) at Dhaka Cantonment in the morning to pay homage to the members of the armed forces who had embraced martyrdom in the War of Liberation.Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral M Farid Habib and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari will also place wreaths at ‘Shikha Anirban’ on behalf of their respective services.The chiefs of the three services will pay courtesy calls on the President at Bangabhaban and the Prime Minister at the Armed Forces Division at Dhaka Cantonment.On this occasion, the Prime Minister will host a reception and meet the family members of the Bir Sresthas and other gallantry award-winning freedom fighters at the Armed Forces Division.In the afternoon, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who also holds the Defence portfolio, will host a reception at Sena Kunja in Dhaka Cantonment to commemorate the day.Among others, the Speaker of the Jatiya Sangshad, the Chief Justice, former Presidents, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, ministers and dignitaries of equivalent status, Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, judges of the Supreme Court, foreign diplomats and MPs of Dhaka are expected to attend the reception.Army, Navy and Air Force headquarters will also accord receptions to the members of the shaheed families, award-winning and retired freedom fighters of their respective services.Besides, receptions will be held at Savar, Bogra, Ghatail, Chittagong, Comilla, Sylhet, Jessore, Rangpur, Khulna and Rajendrapur cantonments. Meanwhile, programmes have been chalked out to observe the day at all Army garrisons, naval ships and establishments and Air Force bases throughout the country.Specially decorated ships of Navy will remain open at Sadarghat in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Chittagong, Khulna and Barisal for visitors from 2:00pm to 4:30pm. On the occasion, Bangladesh Betar will broadcast a special ‘Darbar’ programme at 7:30pm. Besides, different national dailies will publish special supplements on Friday.
