DHAKA, Nov 20, 2023 (BSS) - President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today greeted members of the armed forces on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day to be celebrated in the country tomorrow.

In a message, the President recalled the memories of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman under whose leadership Bangladesh achieved the country's final victory on December 16, 1971 following a nine-month armed Liberation War.
 
He also recalled the memories of the 1971 martyrs, particularly the seven recipients of the highest gallantry awards "Bir Shreshtha", and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and conveyed deep sympathy to the injured freedom fighter military officials and the family members of the martyrs of the armed forces.

Shahabuddin, also the supreme commander of the armed forces, said: "The armed forces, born through the Great War of Liberation, are the symbol of confidence and pride of the nation".

He said during the Liberation War, on November 21 in 1971, the members of the three forces together carried out absolute attack on Pakistani occupation forces, which accelerated the final victory of the country.

"So, the November 21 is a memorable day in the history of Bangladesh's independence and struggle," the President said, adding that the nation always recall with respect the contribution and bravery of the armed forces to the Liberation War.
 
The members of the armed forces are playing a pivotal role in various national activities, including facing national disasters in aid of the civil administration, along with safeguarding the independence and sovereignty of the country, he added.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the President said, the members of the armed forces played laudable and active role in facing the pandemic with courage.

Even, the members of the armed forces have also brightened the country's image before the world through participating in the peacekeeping missions of the United Nations and performing their responsibility with utmost sincerity, honesty, discipline and professional expertise, Shahabuddin added.

He said the government has formulated the 'Forces Goal-2030' aiming to modernise the armed forces.

"Under the plan, modern military equipments are being included for the forces that will undoubtedly make the armed forces more modern, efficient and dynamic," the President added.

Greeting the members of Army, Navy and Air Force on the glorious founding day of the armed forces, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her message said Bangalee nation achieved their independence through a nine-month armed Liberation War under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, breaking the shackle of subjugation.
 
Paying homage to the martyrs of the armed forces and those scarified their lives during the 1971 Liberation War, she said the November 21 of 1971 is a special glorious day in the history of Bangladesh's independence.
 
The premier said the members of the army, navy and air forces retaliated against the occupation forces on November 21 in 1971 during the Liberation War conducted under the leadership of the Awami League government.

The freedom fighters, members of different paramilitary forces and the patriotic people carried out an integrated attack jointly and compelled the occupation forces to surrender, she said.
 
"We achieved the final victory on December 16 in 1971 after defeating the occupation forces. And the 'Armed Forces Day' is being observed every year on November 21 as a landmark of the victory and success of the Bangalee nation in the great Liberation War," Sheikh Hasina said.

Noting that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman started building the modern and smart armed-forces after the Liberation War, she said: "For Bangladesh Army, Bangabandhu established Military Academy, Combined Armed School and training schools for every corps and more military institutions and formed different units".
 
The premier said Bangabandhu established Bangladesh Navy cantonments in Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna.

"Bangabandhu procured two navy ships from Yugoslavia at his own initiatives. In 1973, he also added Supersonic Mig-21 fighter jet, helicopter, cargo plane and air defense radar to the air force, binging those from the then Soviet Union," she said.
 
Since assuming the office in 2009, the Awami League (AL)-led government has been working relentlessly to modernise the armed forces with technological knowledge by taking short-, medium- and long-term plans, the Prime Minister added.

"We have made the army, navy and air force modernised, extended and developed by implementing the Forces Goal 2030," she said.

"We established the Bangladesh Peace Building Centre in 2016. By making the defense policy, prepared by Father of the Nation, a time befitting one, the National Defense Policy 2018 was formulated," Sheikh Hasina added.

She hoped that being imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War, the members of the armed forces will be discharging their duties sincerely with patriotism, professionalism and sincerity.
 
"With collective efforts of all, we will be able to build a hunger-and poverty-free and happy and prosperous Sonar Bangladesh dreamt by the Father of the Nation, Insha Allah," she said.
 
The Prime Minister wished all the programmes, taken on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day, a success.