President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Thursday paid tributes to the martyred members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces at the Shikha Anirban (flame eternal) at Dhaka Cantonment. The president paid the homage by placing a wreath at the Shikha Anirban at 11.20am. After laying the wreath, he stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the armed forces martyrs, who made supreme sacrifices during the War of Liberation in 1971. A smartly-turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a guard of honour at that time, while the bugle played the last post. Later, President Shahabuddin, also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, signed the visitors' book there. Also read: Sheikh Hasina ignored all the conspiracies to build Padma Bridge: President Shahabuddin Earlier, Chief of General Staff(CGS) of Bangladesh Army Lieutenant General Ataul Hakim Sarwar Hasan on behalf of Army Chief General SM Shafiudin Ahmed,  Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal and Chief of Air Staff of Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan received the president on his arrival at the Shikha Anirban. The president also paid tributes to Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib and other August 15 martyrs. He placed wreaths at her grave at the Banani Graveyard in the capital this noon and stood in solemn silence for some time. President's wife Dr Rebecca Sultana was also present. They also spread flower petals on the graves of Bangamata and other August 15 martyrs. Besides, they offered fateha and prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of August 15.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the armed forces are being developed appropriately to give fitting reply if the country comes under attack by any external forces. “If external forces attack, we have to face that. For that we have to build up appropriate armed forces and accordingly we have taken various steps,” she said. The prime minister said this while addressing the 10th Tigers’ Reunion of the East Bengal Regiment at Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA). She said that Bangladesh does not want to engage in war with anyone. “We believe in the policy of friendship to all and malice to none. This policy was formulated by the Father of the Nation,” she said. Briefly describing various development activities of the government to modernise Bangladesh Army, she said that Sheikh Russell cantonment has recently been established in Mawa-Jazira while construction of new cantonments is under way in Mithamin, Rajbari and Trishal. “Construction of Army Aviation Forward Bases at Chattogram and Cox's Bazar and Aviation School at Lalmonirhat is also in progress,” she said.  Also read: PM urges South Korea for more investments in Bangladesh She mentioned that the government has added new composite brigade and para commando brigade in the army. “Sophisticated and up-to-date weapons are being procured for each force,” she said. She said that the government wants to transform Bangladesh as a country of peace. “For that we have adopted zero tolerance policy against terrorism and militancy," she said. The PM said that Bangladesh has faced COVID-19 pandemic successfully. But she mentioned that Russia-Ukraine war and subsequent sanctions caused economic recession across the globe where developed countries have also been affected. Also read; Next national polls will be free and fair: PM Hasina tells US official “Food prices in various countries increased excessively, and there is trouble in getting foods also,” she said. She said that the land of Bangladesh is fertile while people are very much skilled. “I want that every citizen of the country will cultivate whatever land one has so that the blow of world economic recession can not hit Bangladesh,” she said. Hasina said that the government has increased country’s food production and ensured food security. “It is true, but alongside of that we have to continue this (increased food production) until this (Russia-Ukraine) war stops and the world get rid of the economic recession,” she said. She urged all to work hard ensure that the global economic recession does not affect Bangladesh. At the programme the PM took salute and also inspected the parade riding on an open jeep. She witnessed the spectacular parade of a smartly-turned out contingent of East Bengal Regiment followed by a colourful cultural programme.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday lauded the country’s military for standing by the side the people during natural disasters and other crisis. “I believe that our army is now truly the people's army. The armed forces stand beside the people during any disaster and accident and extend their cooperation to them,” she said. The premier was addressing a civic and military gathering at a reception arranged at Senakunja of Dhaka Cantonment on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day 2022. Read more: Bangladesh has changed a lot under Awami League govt: PM Hasina We want peace, not war: Hasina said Bangladesh doesn’t want war against anyone, but instead wants peace and friendly relations with all the countries. “We’ll not fight against anyone. We want peace,” she said. The PM said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had framed the policy of ‘Friendship to All, Malice to None’ (the cornerstone of the country’s foreign policy) and this is being followed by her government. On this day during the War of Liberation in 1971, the Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising Army, Navy and Air Force, came into being and launched an all-out attack on the Pakistani occupation forces which accelerated the victory in the Liberation War. Since the independence of the country, this historic day is observed as the Armed Forces Day. She said her government has relentlessly been working for the socio-economic uplift of the common people of the country by keeping the friendly relations with all countries of the world in line with the policy. Bangladesh out of this situation: PM Sheikh Hasina said her government can take ahead the development programmes since a democratic trend continues now, but unfortunately the Covid-19 pandemic affected the progress of the country. She said the prices of commodities and transport cost soared significantly due to the Ukraine-Russia war and sanctions following the pandemic. “Even then we’ve been trying as much as possible so that our people don’t suffer (from price-hikes of essentials),” she said, adding that they are trying to purchase from every possible source to ease their sufferings.  Read more: Armed Forces Day: PM pays tribute at Shikha Anirban She focused on the ongoing food programmes run by the government to support the poor people amid this crisis. “We’ve been implementing all sorts of steps to improve the life and livelihood of the people,” she added. The PM said Bangladesh was recognised as a role model for development, but the pandemic, war and sanctions have put the country largely into trouble. Economic recession is now seen everywhere including the UK, the US and Europe, she added. “In this situation, our economy still remains vibrant and is moving. But with cooperation from all, we would definitely be able to take it out of this situation (trouble),” said Hasina. She reiterated her call to grow more foods and cultivate every piece of arable land. Focusing on her government’s steps to modernise the armed forces, the premier said she has developed every force and built up every institute so that the Army, Navy and Air Force can move, keeping the pace with the world as the Armed Forces of Bangladesh are working in the United Nations peacekeeping missions. She said the peacekeepers of Bangladesh have been working in the UN missions for 34 years with dedication and pride. Now Bangladesh is the largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping operations, she added. PM’s Security Affairs Adviser Major Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique and the chiefs of the three services were present. Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, cabinet members, political leaders, foreign diplomats, leading figures representing different professions, editors, senior civil and military officials and their spouses, among others, attended the reception.

President Abdul Hamid on Monday paid tribute to the martyred members of Armed Forces on the occasion of Armed Forces Day-2022. He placed a wreath at the altar of Shikha Anirban (flame eternal) at Dhaka Cantonment this morning. Read more: Armed Forces Day: PM pays tribute at Shikha Anirban Hamid, also the supreme commander of the Armed Forces, stood in solemn silence for some time to show profound respect to the memories of the martyrs members of armed forces, who made supreme sacrifices during the Liberation War.

President M Abdul Hamid on Tuesday witnessed the progress of the construction work of Mithamoin Cantonment in Kishoreganj. Engineer-in-Chief (E-n-C) Major General Md Jubayer Salehin along with some high military officers  welcomed the President on his arrival in project area under Mithamoin upazila of the district,   Later, a brief discussion was held regarding the construction work. The president planted a banyan sapling there. President Hamid, also the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, witnessed the 275-acre cantonment area and the Abdul Hamid Polli adjacent to it. Read: President going to home district for four days

In a move aimed at self-reliance in India’s defence manufacturing sector, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday handed over to the armed forces locally developed military hardware including a smart air-launched weapon, anti-drone systems, and an advanced radar countermeasure system, officials familiar with the development said. The weapons and systems were developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. READ:  India bids emotional farewell to military chief Singh also handed over transfer of technology (ToT) agreements covering six systems, including the coastal surveillance radar, to seven public and private sector companies to bolster their defence manufacturing capabilities at an event organised as part of the countrywide celebrations to mark the 75th year of India’s Independence. This comes at a time when a time when the government is encouraging self-reliance is the defence sector through a slew of policy decisions. The notable systems handed over to the armed forces include the smart anti-airfield weapon (SAAW), which can target enemy airfield assets such as radars, bunkers, taxiways and runways; and counter-drone systems to swiftly detect, intercept, and destroy small drones that pose a security threat. SAAW has a range of 100km. The anti-drone system will give the military both “soft kill” and “hard kill” options to tackle the new and fast-emerging aerial threat, the officials said. The first refers to jamming the hostile drone, while the second involves a laser-based kill system. The drone threat was highlighted by the June 27 attack targeting the Jammu air force station, the first-ever offensive use of drones to hit an Indian military facility. READ:  India orders tri-services probe into military chief's chopper crash The steps taken by the government to boost indigenisation include increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) from 49% to 74%, notifying two lists of 209 weapons and systems that cannot be imported and creating a separate budget for buying locally made military hardware. Singh identified the development of a hypersonic cruise missile as a key focus area.

On the occasion of Bangladesh's Armed Forces Day, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday visited the Bangladesh High Commission  in New Delhi  and paid tribute to 1971 Liberation War heroes.  Record keepers said it was perhaps the first time since Indian independence that a defence minister visited a country’s mission in Delhi to pay tribute to that country’s armed forces.  "On behalf of the Armed Forces of India and the Government of India, I congratulate the Armed Forces of Bangladesh on the 50th anniversary and wish them the very best in their endeavour towards peace and security," he said. The Indian Minister said this year is of "extraordinary significance" for Bangladesh-India relations, as the two countries commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Liberation of Bangladesh, the fifty years of India-Bangladesh diplomatic ties and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangaandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. READ: Rajnath Singh pays tribute to Bangabandhu  "In this momentous time, I salute the valiant struggle of the Muktibahini in the Muktijuddha – War of Liberation - in 1971. Spirit of Muktijuddha forms the core of today’s Armed Forces of Bangladesh," he said. The Indian Minister also paid tribute to the sacrifices made by the brave soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces, who stood steadfast with their Bangladeshi brothers and sisters during the epic War of Liberation of Bangladesh. "On this day, I also remember the extraordinary leadership in India, which rose to the occasion against all odds and limitations in 1971, in support of a struggling nation fighting against the injustice and unspeakable atrocities perpetrated by the Pakistani Army."

President Mohammad Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday paid homage to the martyred members of the Armed Forces on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day 2021. The President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and the Prime Minister separately placed wreaths at the altar of Shikha Anirban (flame eternal) at Dhaka Cantonment in the morning. They stood there in solemn silence for a while as a mark of respect to memories of the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice during the War of Liberation in 1971. A smartly-turned out contingent drawn from Army, Navy and Air Force presented a guard of honour at that time, while bugle played the last post. Later, the President and the Prime Minister, also in-charge of the Ministry of Defence, signed the visitor’s book kept on the premises of Shikha Anirban. Earlier on her arrival at Shikha Anirban, the Prime Minister was received by Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan and Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division (AFD) Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman. Read: President Hamid calls for taking development benefits to people After the wreath-placing ceremony, the Prime Minister went to the Armed Forces Division (AFD) where PM’s security affairs adviser Major General (rtd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique and chiefs of the three services made a courtesy call on her. Read: President's activities on day 2 of visit to home district On this day in 1971, the Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising Army, Navy and Air Force, came into being and launched an all-out attack on the Pakistani occupation forces which sped up the victory in the Liberation War. Since the independence of the country, this historic day is being observed as the Armed Forces Day every year.

India has decided to give women permanent commission in the military, a landmark decision that could pave the way for female officers to head the armed forces in the future. Currently, women are recruited in the three wings of the military -- the Army, the Navy and the Air Force -- only as short service commission officers. The latest decision of the government to admit women into the National Defence Academy (NDA) for permanent commission into the armed forces was conveyed to the Supreme Court by a top state lawyer on Wednesday, prompting the judges to hail the move. Also Read- Indian military admits wrongdoing in 3 Kashmir killings "I have great news. The service chiefs and government have decided that girls will be given permanent commission through NDA and Naval academy. The decision was taken late last evening," Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the court. "The policy and procedure are being worked out to enable women to get permanent commission in the three defence forces," he added. Also read: Always stay ready to defend country: Hasina to Armed Forces The apex court lauded the decision. “We have been judging this for a long time. On gender equality, the armed forces have to do more. I'm happy that the heads of the armed forces have taken the decision. Compliment goes to you for persuading them.” "We are extremely glad to know that the armed forces themselves took the decision to induct women into the NDA. We know that reforms cannot happen in a day... The government will place timelines of the process and the course of action," the judges said. "The armed forces play an important role... but need to do more for gender equality in the forces. We want them to take a proactive approach themselves in ensuring gender equality rather than waiting for courts to intervene," the court added. The apex court was hearing a petition for allowing women to take NDA and Naval Academy examinations.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said Bangladesh Armed Forces must have necessary preparedness to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty keeping pace with technological development of the modern world. “We need to have all kinds of preparedness, equipment and training to protect our country from the attack of outside enemies,” she said. The Prime Minister said this while addressing the Selection Board Meeting of Bangladesh Navy and Air Force at Dhaka Cantonment. Read: Bangladesh-New Zealand T20 series: PM greets Tigers for going 2-0 up She joined the meeting at the headquarters of the Navy and Air Force through a videoconference from her official residence Ganobhaban. Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh never wants war with any country, rather it wants peace as no country can achieve desired development without peace as war only brings destruction. “We don’t want to go down the path of destruction. But if anyone attacks us, we have to make all kinds of preparations to protect our country,” she said. Hasina said the government is building the armed forces in such a way so that it can protect the country’s independence and sovereignty.