ZCZC
BSS-05
PRESIDENT-PM-PARADE
President, PM attend Victory Day parade
DHAKA, Dec 16, 2019 (BSS) – President M Abdul Hamid along with Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina today attended the Victory Day Parade, marking the
49th Victory Day.
Different contingents of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force as well as
Freedom Fighters, Para-military force, law enforcement agencies and
ministries participated in the attractive parade.
To celebrate the 48th anniversary of the country’s victory that had been
achieved through the nine-month War of Liberation against Pakistani
occupation forces on this day in 1971, the parade was held at the National
Parade Square in the capital.
President M Abdul Hamid took salute of the parade as the chief guest. The parade was held under the auspices of the 9th Infantry Division of Bangladesh Army at the directives of Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and supervision of the
armed forces.
The President accompanied by parade Commander and also General Officer
Commanding (GOC) of 9th Infantry Division Major General Mohammad Akbar
Hossain, riding on an open jeep reviewed the Victory Day Parade and took
salute.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also enjoyed the attractive march past,
spectacular fly-past, aerobatic display, armoury acquisitions of different
regiments and contingents of the armed forces on the parade ground.
On this day in 1971, Pakistani military conceded defeat to the allied
forces and commanding officer of Pakistani forces general A A K Niazi
surrendered arms with all members of his forces ending nine month-long bloody
war.
Minister for Liberation War Affairs AKM Mozammel Haque, Chief of Army
Staff General Aziz Ahmed, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Aurangzeb Chowdhury
and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat, Principal
Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division Lieutenant General Md
Mahfuzur Rahman and Secretary-in-Charge of the Liberation War Affairs
Ministry M. Arifur Rahaman were present on the occasion.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, cabinet members, PM’s advisors,
parliament members, senior civil and military officials and their family
members were present.
Thousands of people from all walks of life witnessed over two and half
an hour spectacular parade.
The parade displayed the continuous development of the different civil
and military organisations as well as socio-economic progress of the country
and spectacular fly past and aerobatic display of the MIG 29 and other
aircraft of army aviation, navy aviation and RAB helicopter and parachute
landing by army paratroopers.
Aircraft of Army aviation, Navy aviation and RAB helicopters enthralled
the spectators with fly-past while the Air Force presented aerobatic show and
the Army paratroopers displayed parachute landing.
Alongside other modern and latest military hardware of the Armed Forces
such as self propelled guns, state-of-the-art ammunition plant, fourth
generation tanks MBT-2000, armed personnel carrier, armoured recovery
vehicles, Multiple Launch Rocket System, Medium Tank T-69, Ambush Protection
Vehicle, Anti Tank Vehicle, armoured light vehicle, unarmed aerial vehicle,
air defence gun, air defence missile system, weapon locating rudder SLC-2,
petrol craft, defender class boat were displayed during the parade.
Decorated vehicles of the ministries also made a display showcasing
their development activities there.
For the first-time of the country’s history, a colourful band contingent
of the Indian Army took part in the parade.
Later, the President and the Prime Minister exchanged greetings with the
senior military officials and commanders of various units participated in the
parade ended with eye-catching fireworks show.
On the occasion, the National Parade Ground was tastefully decorated
with the images of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,
President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, four national leaders
and seven Birshreshthas.
On his arrival at the parade ground at 10:28am, Abdul Hamid was received
by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Liberation War Affairs Minister, the
Chiefs of the three services, the PSO of the Armed Forces Division and the
Secretary of the Liberation War Affairs Minister.
Earlier, on her arrival at the national parade ground around 10:25am,
the Prime Minister was received by the Liberation War Affair Minister, the
Chiefs of the three services, the PSO of the Armed Forces Division and the
Secretary of the Liberation War Affairs Ministry.
BSS/SIR/AHJ/RY/13:30 hrs