Family members of two soldiers who were killed in an accident during a field firing exercise in Chattogram's Hathazari, met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday and received financial assistance from him.

The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon in the morning, where Tarique spoke to the family members and expressed his deep condolences over the deaths.

“The soldiers lost their lives while performing their duties for the country. They have been martyred while serving the country. The nation will remember their sacrifice with deep respect,” he said.

The Prime Minister assured the bereaved families that the government and the Bangladesh Army would always stand by them and provide necessary support.

“The government and the Army will always stand by your families. Along with providing necessary assistance, the government will also fulfil its responsibility to look after the families of the martyred soldiers,” he added.

The Prime Minister later handed over cheques for financial assistance to the families of the two soldiers.

The Army also announced plans to build a house for each family at the soldiers’ permanent addresses.

Arrangements will also be made to provide jobs to their wives and monthly allowances for their children.

The two soldiers — Sainik (Operator) Abu Bakar Siddique and Sainik (Gunner) Md Tasnim Rifat — were killed in a shell explosion during tank firing at the Hathazari Field Firing Range on September 9.

Tarique’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman and senior Army officers were present during the meeting.

Members of Abu Bakar Siddique’s family who met the Prime Minister were his wife Suraiya Akter Juthi, daughter Fatema Siddika, father Abdul Wahab and mother Parvin Akter.

Members of Md Tasnim Rifat’s family included his wife Mosammat Fahmida Afrin, daughter Rafsa Tasnim Ifra and father Md Asadul Haque.