On this day in 1971, the army, navy and the air force jointly attacked the Pakistani forces and their combined counteroffensive quickened the nation's victory.

President Iajuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia gave separate messages greeting the members of the armed forces on this occasion.

The president said, "Armed forces are symbol of dignity for a nation."

The president prayed for the salvation of the departed souls of the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country's independence and sovereignty and also conveyed his sympathies to the martyr families and injured freedom fighters.

He appreciated the role of armed force personnel in safeguarding the independence and the sovereignty of the country, tackling disaster and in nation building activities.

They are also performing their duty abroad with reputation as members of United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping force, he said.

He also prayed for salvation of the departed souls of those who died policing peace in different troubled corners of the world.

In a separate message, the prime minister said this day is very important in national history.

Khaleda Zia paid tribute to the martyrs, conveyed her sympathies to the injured freedom fighters and also greeted the soldiers who participated in the Liberation War.

"Bangladesh is free and independent today for their supreme sacrifice," she said.

She said the armed forces formed in the Liberation War have now become powerful professional forces which have been glorified worldwide.

The prime minister assured that her government would continue the programmes undertaken by Ziaur Rahman for the modernisation of the forces.

She hoped the chain of success of the armed forces would continue in the future.

Khaleda Zia said she believed the forces would be "able to contribute meaningfully in the development of the country and nation through achieving professional proficiency".