Armed Forces Day will be observed across the country on Thursday with due solemnity and enthusiasm. On this day in 1971, Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising army, navy and air force came into being and launched an all-out attack on the Pakistani occupation forces. Since the country's independence, the day has been observed as the Armed Forces Day every year. The day’s programmes will start with the offering of special prayers in mosques of all cantonments, naval outposts and establishments and air force outposts after Fajr prayers seeking divine blessings for the country’s welfare and progress and continued development and progress of the Armed Forces. Khaleda to join Armed Forces Day reception after 12 years President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will place wreaths at ‘Shikha Anirban’ (the Eternal Flame) at Dhaka Cantonment in the morning to pay homage to the members of the Armed Forces who had sacrificed their lives in the War of Liberation. The chiefs of the three services will place wreaths at ‘Shikha Anirban’ at Dhaka Cantonment in the morning. Later, the three chiefs will pay courtesy calls on the President and the Chief Adviser. On the occasion, the Chief Adviser will host a reception and meet the family members of the Bir Shresthas and other gallantry award-winning freedom fighters at Army Multipurpose Complex. He will distribute peace awards to armed forces personnel. Meanwhile, programmes have been chalked out to observe the day at all army garrisons, naval ships and establishments and air force bases throughout the country. Bangladesh Television (BTV) will broadcast a special programme titled ‘Special Anirban’ after its 8 pm news bulletin on Wednesday highlighting the significance of the day. Khaleda invited to Armed Forces Day reception Bangladesh Betar will broadcast a special ‘Special Durbar’ programme at 7:30pm on Tuesday. The national dailies will publish special supplements on the occasion. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus issued separate messages on the occasion. In his message, the President said a strong, modern, and well-trained armed force is one of the key prerequisites for safeguarding a nation’s sovereignty. “Alongside contemporary training, state-of-the-art military equipment is being integrated into the forces as part of their modernization efforts. This undoubtedly makes the armed forces more advanced, capable, and dynamic.” “For the development of the armed forces, deep trust in leadership, mutual respect, professional expertise and above all discipline are of utmost importance. It is expected that the members of the armed forces will always remain fully loyal to the state and its leadership, maintaining the glory of the armed forces through rigorous training and patriotism,” he said. In his message, the Chief Adviser said from the country's independence struggle to addressing floods, droughts, storms, rains, and cyclones, the armed forces have always been the ultimate refuge for the affected people. As always, during the current critical times of the nation, the Bangladesh Armed Forces have once again stood by the people, he said. “I extend my gratitude to you for assisting the civil administration in various activities, including tackling floods, ensuring security in industrial establishments, improving law and order, recovering weapons, and supporting the student-worker-public uprising. I hope that the members of the armed forces will continue to work alongside the people, safeguarding the country’s independence and sovereignty,” he said. Yunus also wished for the overall success of all the programs undertaken on the occasion of 'Armed Forces Day 2024'.  

The nation is celebrating the 52nd Victory Day, 2022 on Friday, the most joyous day when the country was born at the cost of the supreme sacrifice of three million martyrs and the honour of nearly half a million mothers and sisters, with elaborate programmes. On this glorious day in 1971, Bangladesh was liberated as an independent country after the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered following a bloody nine-month-long war. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War by placing a wreath at the National Memorial in Savar in the morning. The head of the state placed a wreath at the altar of the National Memorial at about 6:30am followed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. After placing the wreath, they stood in solemn silence for a while as a mark of deep respect to the memories of the martyrs of the Liberation War in 1971. A smartly turned out contingent drawn from the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented the state salute on the occasion as the bugles played the last post. Flanked by senior leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of the ruling Awami League (AL), laid another wreath at the National Memorial as the party chief. Read more: Victory Day: President, PM pay tributes to Liberation War martyrs Later, Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister and the president of Bangladesh Awami League paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman placing two separate wreaths at his portrait at Bangabandhu Bhaban in the city’s Dhanmondi-32 area in the morning. Freedom fighters, their family members, foreign diplomats, leaders of Awami League and different political and social organisations and people from all walks of life also paid homage to martyrs. Various programmes will be held today to pay deep homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country during the Liberation War in 1971. Along with the government, different socio-political, educational and cultural institutions and organisations have chalked out a series of programmes to celebrate the day. Bangladeshis will celebrate the day at home and abroad. The day’s programme began with a 31-gun salute.  Discussion meetings will be held at the national level on the theme of 'Empowering the spirit of the liberation war and the best use of digital technology in building  Sonar Bangla as dreamt by the Father of the Nation.’ Apart from this, reception of brave freedom fighters and martyr family members will be held in the metropolis, districts and upazilas. The national flag will be hoisted atop government, semi-government, autonomous and private offices across the country. On this day, an exhibition of documentary films and posters based on the history and tradition of the Liberation War will be organized at the ‘Swadhinota Stombha’ and the Museum of Suhrawardy Udyan. Bangladesh embassies abroad will also undertake similar programs highlighting the significance of the day. Read more:| Victory Day: PM pays tributes to Liberation War martyrs The day is a public holiday. National dailies brought out special supplements on the occasion. State-owned and private television channels and radios will broadcast month- long special programmes highlighting the significance of the Liberation War. Receptions will be accorded to the freedom fighters and family members of martyrs at city, district and upazila levels. Destitute children will be allowed to visit the children park in the capital on the day free of cost. Improved diets will be served in jails, hospitals, orphanages across the country. Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion.  

The nation is celebrating the 50th Victory Day with elaborate programmes paying deep homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country during the Liberation War.   Bangladesh was born as an independent country on this day in 1971 after the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered following a bloody nine-month war.   Along with the government, different socio-political, educational and cultural institutions and organisations have chalked out a series of programmes to celebrate the day. Bangladeshis at home and abroad will celebrate the day.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh urged everyone to remain alert until the communal fundamentalist forces are completely wiped out.