Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus said the upcoming national election, slated for February 2025, will mark a crucial chapter in Bangladesh’s democratic transition, calling on the Armed Forces to perform their duties with utmost professionalism to ensure a smooth and festive electoral process.
He made the remarks at a reception marking Armed Forces Day at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment on Friday.
Yunus said Bangladesh, as a peace-loving nation, believes in respectful cooperation with friendly countries but stressed the need for constant preparedness to safeguard national sovereignty.
“To this end, steps are underway to modernise the Army, Navy, and Air Force, enhance training, and integrate modern technology in line with developed nations,” he said.
Tribute to 1971 heroes
Recalling the coordinated operations of the Army, Navy, and Air Force on this day in 1971, the Chief Adviser said the joint offensive against the Pakistani occupation forces paved the way for victory on December 16.
“The contributions of the Armed Forces during the Liberation War will be written in golden letters in our history,” he said.
Referring to the formation of the Bangladesh Armed Forces on the battlefield in 1971, he said that after the atrocities carried out by the Pakistani occupation forces on March 25, Maj (later President) Ziaur Rahman declared the independence of Bangladesh on March 27 from Chittagong’s Kalurghat Betar Kendra.
He noted that on November 21, 1971, the Army, Navy, and Air Force launched joint operations against the occupation forces — a milestone now commemorated every year as Armed Forces Day.
Yunus also praised the Armed Forces for consistently supporting the nation during natural disasters, the 2024 student uprising, and ongoing reconstruction and reform efforts.
“I believe the Bangladesh Armed Forces, loyal to democratic and disciplined leadership, will continue this tradition of sacrifice and service, combining professional skill with patriotism,” he added.
Bangladesh’s global peacekeeping role
Highlighting Bangladesh’s longstanding participation in UN peacekeeping operations, the Chief Adviser said Bangladeshi troops have completed 63 missions in 43 countries over the past 37 years.
“At present, our peacekeepers are serving in 10 missions around the world,” he said, noting that Bangladesh is now one of the largest contributors of women peacekeepers.
He expressed gratitude to peacekeepers and called for continued investment in training and equipment so they can operate effectively in high-risk environments.
He also thanked diplomats and representatives from friendly nations for their support, recalling their contributions during the Liberation War and their continued assistance in training Bangladesh’s Armed Forces.
At the outset of his address, he honoured the martyrs and wounded freedom fighters of 1971, as well as those killed and injured during the July–August 2024 student–people’s uprising.
Yunus also expressed sorrow over the casualties caused by a recent earthquake in several districts.
Govt committed to a discrimination-free, welfare-oriented state
At a separate reception honouring gallantry award-winning freedom fighters and their inheritors, the Chief Adviser reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a discrimination-free, exploitation-free, welfare-oriented state — a vision cherished by the freedom fighters.
“We want to build a Bangladesh where people are the ultimate source of power, and the country stands as a humane and welfare-oriented state globally,” he said.
Paying tribute to the martyrs and heroes of 1971 as well as the July 2024 uprising, Yunus described the Liberation War as the greatest chapter in the nation’s history.
He said the government remains committed to upholding the sacrifices of soldiers, workers, farmers, students, and ordinary citizens who turned the war into a true people’s movement.
Three service chiefs call on chief adviser
Earlier in the day, Chief of Army Staff Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan paid a courtesy call on the Chief Adviser at the Armed Forces Division.
During the meeting, Prof Yunus adorned the Army Chief with the Senabahini Padak (SBP) and unveiled the Bangladesh Armed Forces Training Compendium.
Armed Forces Day observed
Armed Forces Day 2025 was observed across the country yesterday with due honour and enthusiasm. The day began with special prayers at cantonments, naval bases, and air force stations, seeking peace and progress for the nation and the Armed Forces.
President Md Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus paid tribute to the martyred members of the Armed Forces by laying wreaths at Shikha Anirban in Dhaka Cantonment early in the morning.
A guard of honour was presented, and the two leaders signed the visitors’ book after the ceremony.
The three service chiefs also laid wreaths on behalf of their respective forces.
Later, the Chief Adviser visited the Armed Forces Division, where he was received by the Principal Staff Officer and met the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
A reception was held at the Army Multipurpose Complex honouring gallantry award-winning freedom fighters and their inheritors.
A total of 101 guests, including relatives of the seven Bir Shreshthos, attended.
In the afternoon, a state reception was hosted at Senakunja, attended by dignitaries, senior military and civilian officials, diplomats, and family members of freedom fighters and martyrs.
The event was broadcast live on state television channel BTV.
Across the country, cantonments and bases organised various programmes to mark the day, while Navy ships in several coastal cities were opened to the public.
Media outlets aired special programmes, and Armed Forces–run educational institutions held essay and art competitions.
