Modernisation of armed forces to continue

President Zillur Rahman places a wreath at Shikha Anirban in Dhaka Cantonment yesterday marking Armed Forces Day. Photo: PID

President Zillur Rahman yesterday said the government will continue its support for the modernisation of the country's armed forces, reports UNB.
"The government has attached top priority to modernising the armed forces," he said when Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Zahir Uddin Ahmed and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal M Enamul Bari met him at Bangabhaban marking the Armed Forces Day.
The chiefs of the three services apprised the president of the regular and different modernisation programmes taken by the three services.
The president, also the supreme commander of the Armed Forces, appreciated the role of the forces in nation building activities besides their regular duties.
"On this day in 1971, the Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising the army, navy and air force launched a united attack on the Pakistani occupation forces. As a result, our victory was accelerated," said Zillur Rahman.
The president hoped that the spirit of Armed Forces Day would help the military personnel build themselves as more efficient, skilled and patriotic soldiers of the country.
President Zillur also enquired about the well-being of the families of martyred armed forces' members.
Meanwhile, President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday paid homage to martyred members of the Armed Forces for sacrificing their lives during the War of Liberation, reports BSS.
They placed wreaths at the altar of Shikha Anirban (eternal flame) at Dhaka Cantonment in the morning on the occasion of Armed Forces Day.
They later stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of respect to memories of the martyrs.
The president and the prime minister also signed the visitor's book on the premises of Shikha Anirban.