Armed Forces capable of countering any aggression: PM

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia addresses a reception arranged on the occasion of Armed Forces Day at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment yesterday. PHOTO: PID

Addressing a reception at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment on the occasion of Armed Forces Day 2004, Khaleda, also in charge of defence ministry, said her government during the 1991-96 period had taken multifarious steps for development, expansion and enhancing the capability of the armed forces.

"After our taking the responsibility of government this time around also, the trend is on," she told the function attended by ministers, chiefs of the three services, MPs, political leaders, senior civil and military officers and noted personalities.

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The prime minister reminded that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman was the pioneer in modernisation of the country's Armed Forces.

Describing their glorious and significant role during Liberation War in 1971, she said the 21st November is an important chapter in the history of Bangladesh.

This day in 1971, she recalled, the armed forces mounted combined counterattack on the occupation forces in a turnaround of the liberation war, which marked a major progress towards final victory of the nation.

Within a short time, the occupation forces went berserk in the face of the combined operation that expedited the country's victory through surrender of the Pakistan army.

"We earned an independent and sovereign Bangladesh through their surrender. The contribution of armed forces to the independence war would remain refulgent in national history," said the prime minister.

Describing various roles in social and development activities of armed forces, she noted that Bangladesh's position is on top as force-contributor to UN peacekeeping mission.

The secrets of the of the armed forces are professional skill, honesty, sincerity and relentless labour of each member, Khaleda said, adding that this tradition will have to be upheld at any cost through continuous advance.

Former president Abdur Rahman Biswas, Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar, Chief Justice Syed JR Mudassir Husain, former caretaker government chief Latifur Rahman, Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh Muzahidul Islam Selim and diplomats attended the function.