DHAKA, Nov 20, 2024 (BSS) - President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus 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 the 1971 martyrs, particularly the seven recipients of the highest gallantry awards "Bir Shreshtha" and three million martyrs, who sacrificed their lives in the great war of liberation for the motherland.

He also remembered with deep respect the brave members of the armed forces who sacrificed their lives while discharging their professional duties during the great war of liberation and different periods both in the country and abroad.

The President, also the supreme commander of the armed forces, prayed for the eternal peace of their souls, while extended his deepest sympathy to the members of war-wounded and martyred armed forces families.

The nation also remembered the contribution and heroism of the armed forces in the war of liberation with deep respect, he added.

Mentioning that the armed forces formed through the great war of liberation are the symbol of pride and trust, Mohammed Shahabuddin said during the great war of liberation, on November 21, 1971, the three forces jointly launched an all-out attack on the invading forces.

He added, “This combined effort of the three forces hastened our victory. So, November 21 is a memorable day in the history of Bangladesh’s struggle for independence.”

Armed forces play an important role in nation-building activities, including supporting the civil administration in dealing with any natural disaster and national crisis, alongside discharging the great responsibility of safeguarding the country's independence and sovereignty, said the President.

He noted, in July-August this year during the mass uprising of students, the armed forces' sense of responsibility, patience and patriotism won the praise of the common people.

Not only in the country, he said, the members of the armed forces continue to shine the image of Bangladesh in the outside world by participating in the UN peacekeeping missions and performing their duties with professional skills, utmost discipline, honesty and devotion.

Greeting the members of Army, Navy and Air Force on the occasion of Armed Forces Day-2024, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in his message paid homage to the martyrs of the armed forces along with other martyrs, those who scarified their lives for Bangladesh's independence.

During the war of liberation, courageous members of the Army, Navy and Air Force jointly launched a counter-attack against the occupying forces on November 21, he said, adding, liberation war forces along with members of various paramilitary forces and patriotic people also participated in this coordinated attack.

The chief adviser said, “On December 16, we attained the final victory by defeating the invading forces.”

He mentioned that Armed Forces Day is celebrated every year on November 21 to commemorate the progress and victory of the Bangalee nation in the great war of liberation.

Professor Muhammad Yunus noted that the armed forces are the last resort of the people from the struggle of independence of the country to all natural disasters including flood, drought, storm, rain, cyclone etc.
 
He added, “As always, Bangladesh Armed Forces have stood beside the people in the crisis of the country.”

The chief adviser also extended his gratefulness to the members of the armed forces for providing assistance to the civil administration in all activities including the student-labor-mass uprising, and later handling the flood situation, providing security in industrial factories, improving the country's law and order situation and recovering weapons.

He hoped that the members of the armed forces would work together with the people to protect the independence and sovereignty of the country.

The chief adviser wished the programmes undertaken on the occasion of “Armed Forces Day 2024” all success.