RAJSHAHI, Nov 2, 2017 (BSS) – President M Abdul Hamid today asked army commandos to keep themselves readied to be called out to face any difficult situation as he conferred national standard upon a military para-commando unit in Rajshahi Cantonment here.
“Keep yourself ready to face any situation,” he said while addressing the national standard conferment ceremony to Bangladesh army’s “1 Para Commando Battalion.
He said the country needed competent, experienced and world-standard
para commando units and expected the special unit like the 1 para commando brigade to play an important role at the time of emergency for the country and its people.
The president said the military commandoes are specially regarded for their talent, discipline and braveness and commitment to sacrifice their lives for the country.
The president, who is also supreme commander of the armed forces called army a symbol of country’s confidence and pride and urged them to work for the welfare of the country and its people alongside safeguarding the national sovereignty.
The 1 Para Commando Battalion was erected in 1992 while the president appreciated its performance in the past 25 years particularly in carrying out successful anti-militancy and terrorist raids like the “Operation Thunderbolt” and “Operation Whitelight” respectively at Gulshan Holey Artisan Bakery on July 1, 2016 and Atia Mahal at Surma in Sylhet.
He said with their performance the unit gained worldwide appreciations.
“Terrorism and militancy is not a problem of a certain country alone. Now it has become a global problem for all, rich or poor and developed or undeveloped one . . . the role of para commando units is therefore very crucial,” the president said.
At the outset of the speech, he paid rich tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, freedom fighters and all patriotic souls who made their supreme sacrifices during the 1971 Liberation War and different pro-democracy upheavals since 1952 Language Movement.
The president said the present government was firmly committed to build a modern, time-befitting and strong armed force which was demonstrated with the formulation of the Bangladesh Armed Forces Goal 2030.
“(But) there is no alternative to training in military life. Training makes people efficient and helps enhance professional skills,” he said calling for continued training for military personnel in days to come.
President Hamid reminded the armed forces members to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s speech at Comilla Army Academy after the independence when he asked them to be extremely cautious in carrying out their operations.
“You must combat offences, but keep in mind that no innocent people become the victims of your any wrongful acts,” the president said quoting the Bangabandhu’s address. The President praised the armed forces contribution also in the UN peacekeeping missions abroad upholding country’s image alongside playing crucial roles in facing natural and manmade calamities like flood and landslides and most recently in handing the crisis caused by the massive Rohingya exodus.
Several ministers, senior political leaders, chiefs the three services, some parliament members, Bogra area commander and secretaries concerned to the president, senior military and civil officials were joined the ceremony.