The Armed Forces Day was observed across the country with due solemnity and enthusiasm on November 21, marking the founding of Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force during the country’s Liberation War in 1971. This year, the day was observed with recognizing the forces as the symbol of confidence. Former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia attended the Armed Forces Day program after 12 years that drew huge attention. 
This day is observed every year since Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising army, navy and air force launched an all-out attack on the occupation forces of Pakistan on this day during our Liberation War in 1971. After the independence of the country, this historic day is observed as Armed Forces Day every year.
The day’s program began with the offering of special prayers after Fazr prayers in all mosques in all the cantonments, naval and air force bases throughout the country seeking divine blessings for the well-being and prosperity of the nation and progress of the armed forces.
To mark the day, President and Chief Adviser placed wreaths at ‘Shikha Anirban’ (the Eternal Flame) at Dhaka Cantonment yesterday to pay homage to the members of the Armed Forces who laid down their lives during our Liberation War in 1971.
Later, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan placed wreaths at ‘Shikha Anirban’ on behalf of their respective forces.
On the occasion, chiefs of the three services paid courtesy call on the President at the Bangabhaban and Chief Adviser at Armed Forces Division.
The Chief Adviser accord a reception to family members of the Bir Shreshthas and selected number of gallantry award winning 1971 veterans and their family members at Army Multipurpose Complex in Dhaka Cantonment.
Liberation War Affairs Adviser, Chief adviser’s special assistant on defence and national solidarity development affairs, chiefs of the three services, CA’s Principal Secretary, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, Secretary of the Defence Ministry, Secretary of Liberation War Affairs Ministry and other military and civil officials were present at the function.
A reception program was arranged for the Chief Adviser at Senakunja in the cantonment. Chief justice, former presidents, former chief advisers, advisers and the people with the rank of adviser, foreign envoys in Bangladesh, chiefs of international organizations, judges, cabinet secretary, principal secretary, former chiefs of the three services, former military officials, Swadhinata Padak and Ekushey Padak winning people in 2022, journalists, educationists, political leaders and dignitaries, coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, family members of all Bir Shresthos, gallantry award-winning officials, who lived in Dhaka during and after the Liberation War, and their family members, high civil officials and serving and former officials of three services joined the reception.

‘Armed forces a symbol of confidence’

Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus signs the visitors’ book at Dhaka Cantonment in the capital in presence of the Bangladesh Army chief, General Waqar-Uz-Zaman, navy chief Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan and air force chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, on November 21. Photo Credit: Focus Bangla

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus said the armed forces are recognized as a symbol of confidence for standing alongside the people of the country.
“The armed forces stood by the people during the recent anti-discrimination movement and after the movement. By doing so, they have once again been recognized as a symbol of confidence by the people of the country.”
The chief adviser made the comment while addressing at the reception at Senakunja. Recalling the contribution of the armed forces in the Liberation War, Yunus said on this day in 1971, the valiant members of the armed forces and the common people of Bangladesh jointly launched a coordinated attack on the Pakistani occupation forces.
As a result, victory was achieved, and Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign state, he added.
“Today, I recall with great respect all the brave martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the war,” he added.
The chief adviser also remembered all those who were martyred and injured in the July uprising. “Their sacrifice has created a new scope to rebuild the country.”

Khaleda Zia joins Armed Forces Day event after 12 years

This handout photograph taken by Press Wing of Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser and released on November 21, shows Nobel laureate and chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government Muhammad Yunus (R) with former premier and Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia (L) at a reception to mark the country’s Armed Forces Day in Dhaka. |Photo Credit: AFP

Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia attended the Armed Forces Day reception program at Senakunja after 12 years.
Chief adviser to the interim government Muhammad Yunus exchanged greetings with Khaleda Zia at the reception program at Dhaka Cantonment.
Khaleda Zia last attended the Armed Forces Day function in 2012.
She reached Senakunja the venue at about 4:30pm to be welcomed by the army chief and other senior officers.
Khaleda Zia was accompanied by Sharmila Rahman Sinthi, wife of Khaleda’s youngest son late Arafat Rahman. Central leaders of the political party were also with her.
Earlier in the afternoon at about 3:30pm, the former prime minister left her residence Feroza in her white Prado vehicle to attend the function at Senakunja.
She attended the event in a wheelchair.
During the ceremony, chief adviser Yunus came to Khaleda Zia and inquired about her physical condition and discussed various issues for a while. Both of them were seen smiling. She left for home after the ceremony.
Student Movement Against Discrimination leaders, including advisers Mahfuz Alam, Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, also exchanged greetings with Khaleda Zia.
About the Senakunja event, Mirza Fakhrul said that the entire nation was delighted at the honour with which former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was received at the reception organised on the occasion of Armed Forces Day.
He told reporters that Khaleda Zia had spent the biggest part of her life for Bangladesh and for democracy, freedom and sovereignty. For 12 years, the most patriotic force, the armed forces, had been kept away from her in a planned manner.
‘Today, I would like to thank the members of the armed forces, especially army chief General Waqar-Uz-Zaman, navy chief Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan and the air force chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan. I especially thank our chief adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus for the honour he has shown to Madam [Khaleda Zia] today. As we are grateful, at the same time the entire nation is happy today,’ he said.
Tarique Rahman pledges modernization of armed forces if BNP returns to power
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has promised that his party, if returns to power, will continue its efforts to modernize and further strengthen the armed forces, as it did in the past.
“Since former president Shaheed Zia's time, the armed forces have transformed into a disciplined, prompt and always vigilant modern force comparable to the army of any modern state in the world,” he said in a message on the occasion of Armed Forces Day.
Later, during the BNP governments, Tarique said all-out efforts were made to further modernize and strengthen the armed forces by ensuring the continuous implementation of the programs initiated by Ziaur Rahman.
“Our efforts will continue in the future as well,” the BNP acting chairman pledged, wishing for the overall success of all the programs on Armed Forces Day.
Tarique greeted the members of the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force on the occasion. “I wish all members of the armed forces and their families continued happiness, peace, and prosperity. On this day, I wish for the future progress and advancement of the armed forces.”
The BNP leader also prayed for the salvation of the departed souls of the martyrs of the armed forces in the Liberation War, saying that the armed forces are a proud institution of the nation, built on courage, heroism and discipline.