Armed Forces Day today

The Armed Forces Day will be observed today with due enthusiasm and solemnity, marking the inception of the national military in war-field during the liberation war.
Day's programmes begin with special prayers in mosques of all cantonments, naval outposts and establishments and air-force outposts after Fazr prayers seeking divine blessing for country's welfare and progress and continued development and progress of the Armed Forces.
Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising army, navy and air force came into being and launched an all-out attack on the occupation forces on this day during the Liberation War in 1971. Hence, the Day is observed as Armed Forces Day every year.
President Iajuddin Ahmed would place wreaths on Shikha Anirban at Dhaka Cantonment in the morning to pay homage to the members of the Armed Forces who had sacrificed their lives in 1971.
Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed, Chief of Naval Staff Vice-Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal SM Ziaur Rahman will also place wreaths on the Shikha Anirban on behalf of their respective forces.
The chiefs of the three services will pay a courtesy call on President Iajuddin Ahmed at his Armed Forces Division office.
President Iajuddin Ahmed will accord a reception at the Armed Forces Division in Dhaka Cantonment in honour of the valiant freedom fighters and their family members.
The chiefs of the three services will also accord a similar reception.
In the evening, President Iajuddin Ahmed will accord a reception at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment. Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, Speaker, Chief Justice, former presidents, ex-chief advisers and advisers, incumbent advisers, diplomats, chief election commissioner and election commissioners are expected to attend the function.
Similar programmes will also be held at Savar, Bogra, Chittagong, Ghatail, Comilla, Jessore, Rangpur and Rajendrapur cantonments.
Various programmes have also been taken up to observe the day at army garrisons, naval ships and establishments and outposts of the air force outside the capital.
Specially decorated ships of navy at Dhaka (Sadarghat), Narayanganj, Chittagong, Khulna, Barisal and Mongla will remain open to public from 2:00pm to 4:30pm.
BTV, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels will telecast special programmes and newspapers will publish special supplements highlighting the significance of the day.
Meanwhile, President Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed in separate messages hailed the members of the Armed Forces and prayed for peace of the departed souls of those who laid down their lives in 1971.
President Iajuddin prayed for salvation of the martyrs of the Armed Forces who had laid down their lives for country's independence and sovereignty. He also conveyed his sympathy to the members of the martyrs and war-maimed freedom fighters.
The president expressed the hope that the members of the Armed Forces would “uphold their glory through diligent exercise, professional skill, dutifulness and patriotism”.
In another message, Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed said the Armed Forces “earned appreciation from all by preparing voters' list with photograph and national ID card within a short time” and introducing automation process at Chittagong Customs House.
“Members of the Armed Forces are extending active assistance to the government in anti-corruption and anti-terrorism drives and relief and rehabilitation operations for flood victims,” said the chief adviser.
He expressed his conviction that the continuity of successes of the Armed Forces would also be upheld in days to come.
In a message, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina also greeted members of the Armed Forces on the occasion. The ex-premier recalled the “ever- refulgent contribution of the Armed Forces in defeating the Pakistani invaders during the 1971 Liberation War”.
She said AL believes in building a strong and invincible defense system for protecting country's independence and sovereignty.