Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said the armed forces have been recognised as a symbol of confidence as they chose to stand beside the people of the country.

"In recent anti-discrimination movement and post-movement, the armed forces stood beside the people. By standing by the students and general people, the armed forces have been recognised again as a symbol of confidence to the people of the country," he said while addressing a reception at Senakunja in the capital, on the occasion of Armed Forces Day, reports BSS.

Recalling the contribution of the armed forces, Prof Yunus said since the independence of the country, the armed forces have been working, standing by the people, in nation-building and tackling disasters alongside protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty.

He said on this day in 1971, the members of the armed forces and commoners of Bangladesh jointly launched a coordinated attack against the Pakistani occupation forces.

So, he said, the 21 November is being observed as a milestone of the liberation war. The chief adviser said the armed forces were born in the war of 1971, while the members of the army, navy and air forces along with ordinary people carried out attacks on the Pakistani forces.

The armed forces provided guerrilla training to freedom fighters during the liberation war too, he added.

"On this special occasion, I deeply recalled the martyrs of the liberation war and all valiant freedom fighters, including the wounded ones," he said.

The chief adviser also remembered all the martyrs and injured ones in the July-August revolution whose self-sacrifice created a new scope to rebuild the country, saying the nation will remember their sacrifice with respect forever.

Meanwhile, addressing a reception accorded to the gallantry award-winning freedom fighters and their inheritors arranged by the Armed Forces Division in Dhaka Cantonment’s Multipurpose Complex on the Armed Forces Day later on the day, the chief adviser said the interim government wants to build Bangladesh in such a way that the people become the true source of all power.

He also said his government’s responsibility is to bind people into a larger family.

"There will be differences of opinion in the family... but we will not be enemies to each other. We will not think of anyone as enemy because of his or her opinion. We will not consider anyone as enemy because of religion," he added.

Recalling the contribution of the armed forces to the Great War of Liberation, Prof 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, the country’s victory was achieved and Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign state, he said.

"Today, I recall with great respect all the brave martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the liberation war and I pray to the Almighty Allah for salvation of their departed souls," he added.

The chief adviser also paid humble respects to the gallantry award-winning and war-wounded freedom fighters and all the family members of the valiant freedom fighters.

President, CA pays tribute at Shikha Anirban

Earlier, in the morning, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Prof Yunus separately paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing a wreath at the Shikha Anirban.

They were accompanied by the chiefs of the armed forces and other military personnel.

After placing the wreath, the president, who is also the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, and the chief adviser stood in solemn silence for a while as a mark of respect to the memories of the martyrs, according to UNB.

The head of the state and the head of the government also signed the visitors’ book there.

Chiefs of three services call on President

Meanwhile, marking the Armed Forces Day, 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 met the President at 7pm on Thursday.

"During the meeting, the President, also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces was apprised of various activities of their respective forces," said President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin, reports BSS.

Congratulating the members of the armed forces on the occasion, the Head of the State said the members of the armed forces have brought honour for the country through their outstanding performance at national and international arenas. President Shahabuddin extended greetings and felicitations to all members of the armed forces and their families on the occasion of the day.

The Head of State also praised the role of the armed forces members in maintaining law and order and establishing peace in the country after the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

“The members of the armed forces would be able to contribute more to the development of the country in the days to come by increasing their professional skills”, President Shahabuddin hoped.

Bangladesh observes 21 November as Armed Forces Day marking the day in 1971 when the army, the navy, and the air force launched a coordinated offensive against the Pakistani forces.