President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to mark the National Mourning Day.

He placed a wreath at the portrait of the great leader in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32 at 6:30 am on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the martyrdom of the father of the nation.

Read: President condoles Bir Uttam Sultan Mahmud’s demise

Earlier, on his arrival there, the president was welcomed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at about 6:28 am.

Both stood in solemn silence for some time after laying the wreaths as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the father of the nation.

A smartly turned out contingent drawn from the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented the state salute while the bugles played the Last Post.

Bangabandhu’s younger daughter Sheikh Rehana, the Jatiya Sangsad Speaker, the Chief Justice, cabinet members, senior Awami League leaders and chiefs of three services, among others, were also present on the occasion.

Valiant freedom fighter and veteran politician President Shahabuddin offered fateha and munajat seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu as well as other martyrs of the August 15 carnage.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his spouse Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, their three sons — Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell — and most of the family members of three close relatives of Mujib were assassinated on August 15, 1975 by a group of disgruntled army personnel.

Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana escaped the carnage as they were staying abroad at that time.