Independence Day
Ukraine girds for heavy attacks as it marks Independence Day
Ukraine braced for what President Volodymr Zelenskyy warned could be especially brutal Russian attacks Wednesday as the country observed its Independence Day — and marked the war’s six-month point — under conditions considered too dangerous to allow any major public celebrations in the capital.
Residents of Kyiv, which has been largely spared in recent months, woke up to air raid sirens, but no immediate strikes followed. As the day wore on, Russian bombardment was reported in the country’s east, south and west, but the attacks did not appear heavier than usual.
Outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson marked the holiday with a visit to Kyiv — his third since the war broke out — and other European leaders used the occasion to pledge unwavering support for Ukraine, locked in a battle that was widely expected to be a lightning conquest by Moscow but has turned into a grinding war of attrition. The U.S. announced a major new military aid package totaling nearly $3 billion to help Ukrainian forces fight for years to come.
Independence Day commemorates Ukraine’s 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.
Kyiv authorities banned large gatherings in the capital through Thursday, fearing the national holiday might bring particularly heavy Russian missile strikes.
Read: 100 days of Russia-Ukraine conflict – no quick end in sight
“Russian provocations and brutal strikes are a possibility,” Zelenskyy said in a statement. “Please strictly follow the safety rules. Please observe the curfew. Pay attention to the air sirens. Pay attention to official announcements.”
Nevertheless, a festive atmosphere prevailed at Kyiv’s Maidan square as thousands of residents posed for pictures next to burned-out Russian tanks put on display. Folk singers set up, and many revelers — ignoring the sirens — were out and about in traditionally embroidered dresses and shirts.
Others were fearful.
“I can’t sleep at night because of what I see and hear about what is being done in Ukraine,” said a retiree who gave only her first name, Tetyana, her voice shaking with emotion. “This is not a war. It is the destruction of the Ukrainian people.”
In a holiday message to the country, Zelenskyy exulted over Ukraine’s success in fending off Moscow’s forces since the invasion, saying: “On Feb. 24, we were told: You have no chance. On Aug. 24, we say: Happy Independence Day, Ukraine!”
Zelenskyy also addressed the U.N. Security Council via video over Russia’s objections and said the “security of the entire world” is at stake in Ukraine’s battle against Moscow’s “insane aggression.”
U.S. President Joe Biden said the latest American aid package will allow Ukraine to acquire air defense and artillery systems and other weapons.
“I know this Independence Day is bittersweet for many Ukrainians as thousands have been killed or wounded, millions have been displaced from their homes, and so many others have fallen victim to Russian atrocities and attacks,” Biden said. “But six months of relentless attacks have only strengthened Ukrainians’ pride in themselves, in their country, and in their 31 years of independence.”
Britain’s Johnson urged Western allies to stand by Ukraine through the winter.
“This is not the time to put forward flimsy negotiating proposals,” he said. “You can’t negotiate with a bear when it’s eating your leg or with a street robber when he has you pinned to the floor.”
In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz rebuked the Kremlin for its “backward imperialism” and declared that Ukraine “will drive away the dark shadow of war because it is strong and brave, because it has friends in Europe and all over the world.”
A car bombing outside Moscow that killed the 29-year-old daughter of right-wing Russian political theorist Alexander Dugin on Saturday also heightened fears that Russia might intensify attacks on Ukraine this week. Russian officials have blamed Ukraine for the death of Darya Dugina, a pro-Kremlin TV commentator. Ukraine has denied any involvement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces have encountered unexpectedly stiff Ukrainian resistance in their invasion and abandoned their effort to storm the capital in the spring. The fighting has turned into a slog that has reduced neighborhoods to rubble and sent shock waves through the world economy.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, speaking Wednesday at a meeting of his counterparts from a security organization dominated by Russia and China, claimed the slow pace of Moscow’s military action was due to what he said was an effort to spare civilians.
Russian forces have repeatedly targeted civilian areas in cities, including hospitals and a Mariupol theater where hundreds of people were taking shelter.
But Shoigu said Russia is carrying out strikes with precision weapons against Ukrainian military targets, and “everything is done to avoid civilian casualties.”
“Undoubtedly, it slows down the pace of the offensive, but we do it deliberately,” he said.
He also criticized the U.S. and its allies for “continuing to pump weapons into Ukraine,” saying the aid is dragging out the conflict and increasing casualties.
On the battlefield, Russian forces struck several towns and villages in Donetsk province in the east over 24 hours, killing one person, authorities said. A building materials superstore in the city of Donetsk was hit by a shell and erupted in flames, the mayor said. There were no immediate reports of any injuries.
In the Dnipropetrovsk region on the southern front, the Russians again shelled the cities of Nikopol and Marhanets, damaging several buildings and wounding two people, authorities said. Russian troops also shelled the city of Zaporizhzhia, but no casualties were reported.
Also, Russian rockets struck unspecified targets in the Khmelnytskyi region, about
Ukraine marks Independence Day six months after start of war
Residents of Kyiv woke up to air raid sirens as Ukraine observed its Independence Day on Wednesday, which also marked exactly six months since the start of Russia's military invasion.
Authorities in the capital banned large-scale gatherings until Thursday, fearing the national holiday might bring particularly heavy Russian missile attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the public to be vigilant.
“Russian provocations and brutal strikes are a possibility,” Zelenskyy said in a statement. “Please strictly follow the safety rules. Please observe the curfew. Pay attention to the air sirens. Pay attention to official announcements. And remember: We must all achieve victory together.”
A small number of residents gathered at Kyiv's central square, where destroyed Russian tanks and mobile artillery were put on display over the weekend, and the national anthem is played every day at 7 a.m. local time.
“I can’t sleep at night because of what I see and hear about what is being done in Ukraine," a retiree who identified herself only by her first name, Tetyana, said, her voice shaking with emotion.
“This is not a war. It is the destruction of the Ukrainian people," she said.
Wednesday’s holiday commemorates Ukraine’s 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.
“Six months ago, Russia declared war on us. On February 24, all of Ukraine heard explosions and gunshots. ... On February 24, we were told: You have no chance. On August 24, we say: Happy Independence Day, Ukraine!” Zelenskyy said in an Independence Day message.
A car bombing outside Moscow that killed the 29-year-old daughter of right-wing Russian political theorist Alexander Dugin on Saturday heightened fears that Russia might intensify attacks on Ukraine this week.
Read:On eve of Ukraine's national day, fears Russia will pounce
Russian officials have blamed Ukraine for the death of Darya Dugina, a nationalist Russian TV commentator. The car bomb exploded after she had attended a patriotic festival with her father, whom was widely believed to have been the intended target.
The Ukrainian government has denied any involvement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24. Moscow's military encountered unexpectedly stiff Ukrainian resistance, and the six months of fighting has upended life in Ukraine and sent shock waves through the world economy.
As the war reached its 182nd day, there was no sign of a quick end to the conflict, which NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday described as “ a grinding war of attrition.” Russia now holds large swaths of the country’s east and south, but its gains accumulated slowly. Neither country has revealed how many troops it has lost during the six-month conflict.
The United States is expected on Wednesday to announce roughly $3 billion in additional aid to train and equip Ukrainian forces to fight for years to come, U.S. officials said.
The officials told The Associated Press the package would fund contracts for as many as three types of drones and other weapons, ammunition and equipment that may not see the battlefront for a year or two.
The new funding is largely aimed at helping Ukraine secure its medium- to long-term defense posture, according to officials familiar with the matter. Earlier shipments focused on Ukraine’s more immediate needs for weapons and ammunition and involved materiel the Pentagon already had in stock that could be shipped quickly.
Several officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the aid package before a public announcement.
On the forefront of the Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine, the conflict ground on. Russian forces struck several towns and villages in Donetsk province over 24 hours, killing one person and injuring another two, according to the regional administration.
In the Dnipropetrovsk region on the southern front, Russian forces again shelled the cities of Nikopol and Marhanets, damaging several buildings and injuring two people, according to Gov. Valentyn Reznichenko. Russian troops also shelled the city of Zaporizhzhia, damaging several buildings and infrastructure but inflicting no casualties.
Police: Parade shooting suspect contemplated 2nd shooting
The man charged with killing seven people at an Independence Day parade confessed to police that he unleashed a hail of bullets from a rooftop in suburban Chicago and then fled to the Madison, Wisconsin, area, where he contemplated shooting up an event there, authorities said Wednesday.
The suspect turned back to Illinois, where he was later arrested, after deciding he was not prepared to pull off another attack in Wisconsin, Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli said at a news conference following a hearing where the 21-year-old man was denied bond.
The parade shooting left another American community reeling — this time affluent Highland Park, home to about 30,000 people near the Lake Michigan shore. More than two dozen people were wounded, some critically, and hundreds of marchers, parents and children fled in a panic.
Covelli said it did not appear that the suspect had planned another attack in Wisconsin, but fled there, saw another Independence Day celebration and “seriously contemplated” firing on it. The assailant had ditched the semi-automatic rifle he used in Illinois, but he had another, similar rifle and about 60 more rounds with him, according to Covelli.
Read: 6 dead, 30 hurt in shooting at Chicago-area July 4 parade
Police later found his phone in Middleton, Wisconsin, which is about 135 miles (217 kilometers) from Highland Park.
For hours before his arrest, police warned that the gunman was still at large and that he should be considered armed and dangerous. Several nearby cities canceled events including parades and fireworks. Most festivities in and around Wisconsin’s capital city went ahead.
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes told a news conference Wednesday that the FBI urged the department on Monday evening to prepare its SWAT team because investigators believed the gunman could be in the area. Barnes said he was not warned at the time that the shooter was considering carrying out further attacks.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Ben Dillon said in court that the gunman climbed up the fire escape of a building above the Highland Park parade, “looked down his sights, aimed” and fired at people across the street. He left the shells of 83 bullets and three ammunition magazines on the rooftop. He initially evaded capture by disguising himself as a woman and blending into the fleeing crowd, according to police.
Some of the wounded remained hospitalized in critical condition, Covelli said, and the death toll could still rise. Already, the deaths from the shooting have left a 2-year-old boy without parents, families mourning the loss of beloved grandparents and a synagogue grieving the death of a congregant who for decades had also worked on the staff.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said he planned to bring attempted murder and aggravated battery charges for each individual who was hurt.
“There will be many, many more charges coming,” he said at a news conference, estimating that those charges would be announced later this month.
If convicted of the first-degree murder charges, the gunman would receive a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.
The suspect, Robert Crimo III, wore a black long-sleeve shirt as he appeared in court by video. As the prosecutor described the shooting, he said little besides telling the judge that he did not have a lawyer.
On Tuesday, Thomas A. Durkin, a prominent Chicago-based lawyer, said he would represent Crimo and that he intended to enter a not guilty plea to all charges. But Durkin told the court Wednesday that he had a conflict of interest with the case. Crimo has been assigned a public defender.
Rinehart also left open the possibility of charging Crimo’s parents, telling reporters that he “doesn’t want to answer” that question right now as the investigation continues.
Steve Greenberg, the lawyer for Crimo’s parents, told The Associated Press that the parents aren’t concerned about being charged with anything related to their son’s case.
Questions also arose about how the suspect could have skirted Illinois’ relatively strict gun laws to legally purchase five weapons, including the high-powered rifle used in the shooting, despite authorities being called to his home twice in 2019 for threats of violence and suicide.
Police went to the home following a call from a family member who said Crimo was threatening “to kill everyone” there. Covelli said police confiscated 16 knives, a dagger and a sword, but said there was no sign he had any guns at the time, in September 2019. Police in April 2019 also responded to a reported suicide attempt by Crimo, Covelli said.
Illinois state police, who issue gun owners’ licenses, said Crimo applied for a license in December 2019, when he was 19. His father sponsored his application, and he purchased the semi-automatic rifles in 2020, according to Covelli.
In all, police said, he purchased five firearms, which were recovered by officers at his father’s home. He purchased four of the guns while he was under 21 and bought a fifth after his birthday last year.
The revelations about his gun purchases offered just the latest example of young men who were able to obtain guns and carry out massacres in recent months despite glaring warning signs about their mental health and inclination to violence.
The state police have defended how the application was handled, saying that at the time “there was insufficient basis to establish a clear and present danger” and deny the application, state police said in a statement.
Investigators who have interrogated the suspect and reviewed his social media posts have not determined a motive or found any indication that he targeted victims by race, religion or other protected status, Covelli said.
In 2013, Highland Park officials approved a ban on semi-automatic weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines. A local doctor and the Illinois State Rifle Association quickly challenged the liberal suburb’s stance. The legal fight ended at the U.S. Supreme Court’s doorstep in 2015 when justices declined to hear the case and let the suburb’s restrictions remain in place.
Asked whether Crimo’s case demonstrates flaws in state law, Rinehart said that “the gap in the state’s gun laws would be that we don’t ban assault weapons.”
Under Illinois law, gun purchases can be denied to people convicted of felonies, addicted to narcotics or those deemed capable of harming themselves or others. That last provision might have stopped a suicidal Crimo from getting a weapon.
But under the law, who that provision applies to must be decided by “a court, board, commission or other legal authority.”
The state has a so-called red flag law designed to stop dangerous people before they kill, but it requires family members, relatives, roommates or police to ask a judge to order guns seized.
Crimo, who goes by the name Bobby, was an aspiring rapper with the stage name Awake the Rapper, posting on social media dozens videos and songs, some ominous and violent.
IBBL holds discussion to mark Independence Day
Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) organised a discussion and prayer ceremony online on Independence and National Day Saturday.
Professor Md Nazmul Hassan, chairman of the bank, addressed the programme as the chief guest.
Professor Md Salim Uddin, chairman of the executive committee, Mohammad Solaiman, chairman of the audit committee, Major General (Retd) Abdul Matin, chairman of the risk management committee of the bank, spoke as special guests.
Also read: IBBL Cumilla holds business development conference
Mohammed Monirul Moula, managing director and chief executive officer of the bank, presided over the programme.
IBBL directors Md Joynal Abedin, Professor Dr Qazi Shahidul Alam, Professor Dr Md Fashiul Alam; Shariah Supervisory Committee Chairman Professor Mohammad Gias Uddin Talukder also spoke.
IBBL directors Professor Md Kamal Uddin, Syed Abu Asad, Mohammad Quamrul Hasan, Khurshid-Ul-Alam, Mohammed Nasir Uddin, and Md Kamal Hossain Gazi were present at the programme.
Additional managing directors Muhammad Qaisar Ali, Md Omar Faruk Khan; deputy managing directors JQM Habibullah, Md Mostafizur Rahman Siddiquee, Md Altaf Hossain, Md Nayer Azam; Chief Risk Officer Mohammad Ali, and IBTRA Principal SM Rabiul Hasan also joined it.
Canberra's iconic National Carillon illuminated in red, green
Independence Day, National Day and 50 years of Bangladesh-Australia ties were celebrated in Canberra with the illumination of an iconic structure with the colours of the Bangladesh national flag.
The National Carillon, a large carillon situated on Aspen Island in Lake Burley Griffin, was illuminated with red and green, according to the Bangladesh High Commission Sunday.
A formal reception was held which started with playing of the national anthems of Bangladesh and Australia by the Royal Military band.
Also read: Pakistan greets Bangladesh on its Independence Day
Representatives from the Australian Federal Parliament, ACT legislature, political leaders, heads of diplomatic missions and government officials from the Australian federal departments and local elites were present.
Pakistan greets Bangladesh on its Independence Day
The foreign minister of Pakistan has greeted Bangladesh on its Independence and National Day.
"It gives me immense pleasure to convey sincere felicitations to the Government and people of Bangladesh on the 51st anniversary of the People's Republic of Bangladesh," Pakistan Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi said.
Read:Independence Day celebrated in Washington
He said this in a letter to Bangladesh foreign minister AK Abdul Momen on March 26, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here on Sunday.
"I am confident that the bonds of friendship between our two countries, which are based on shared history, common faith and spirit of good neighborliness, would be further strengthened in the years ahead," Qureshi wrote.
Independence Day celebrated in Washington
The Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington DC has celebrated the Independence and National Day of Bangladesh with a renewed vow to materialise the dreams of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the martyrs of the great Liberation War.
The day's programmes began with hoisting of the National Flag by Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M. Shahidul Islam on the Chancery premises.
Later, the Ambassador, accompanied by the Embassy officials, placed a floral wreath at the bust of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
After laying the wreath, they stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the great leader.
The messages issued on the occasion by the President M Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam were read out.
Later, a discussion session was held at the Bangabandhu Auditorium of the Embassy.
Taking part in the discussion session, Ambassador Shahidul Islam termed the great Independence Day as a glorious day of Bangladesh and extended his heartfelt greetings to all Bangalees across the USA on the occasion.
He also paid deep homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and three million martyrs of the War of Liberation.
The Ambassador recalled the bloody massacre in Dhaka perpetrated by the Pakistani military junta, breaking the silence of the night of 25 March in 1971 as they mercilessly killed hundreds of thousands of innocent sleeping Bangalees, including teachers, students, police members, soldiers, pedestrians and rickshaw-pullers.
Ambassador Islam said in the wake of the Pakistan army's barbaric attack on the unarmed Bangalees, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared the independence of Bangladesh at the first hour of 26th March in1971.
The nation, he said, soon launched the War of Liberation at the call of the Father of the Nation, and under his fearless leadership, Bangladesh achieved long-cherished independence on December 16 in 1971 after the nine-month bloody war against Pakistan.
The Ambassador said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman fought throughout his life for transforming Bangladesh into a peaceful and prosperous 'Sonar Bangla' (Golden Bengal).
But Bangabandhu could not materialise his cherished dream as he was brutally assassinated by the anti-liberation elements on the black night of 15th August in 1975, Ambassador Islam continued.
"So we have to work unitedly and ceaselessly to turn Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous country being imbued with the ideology of the Father of the Nation and the spirit of the War of Liberation," he concluded.
The programmes ended with offering a special prayer seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the Father of the Nation and the martyrs of the Liberation War.
"Genocide Day” Observed
The Embassy also observed the “Genocide Day” on Friday, recalling one of the most brutal genocides in world history that was committed by the Pakistan army on 25th March in 1971 in Bangladesh.
The Embassy organized elaborate programmes to pay deep homage to the martyrs who were killed mercilessly by the Pakistan military junta's operation code named "Operation Searchlight” on the black night of 25th March that year.
The day's programmes began with observance of one-minute silence to pay profound respect to the martyrs of the War of Liberation. This was followed by screening of a documentary titled "Recognising the 1971 Bangladesh Genocide: An Appeal for Rendering Justice".
Later, the messages issued by the President and the Prime Minister were read out.
A special prayer was offered seeking divine blessings for eternal peace of the departed souls of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the martyrs of the War of Liberation.
Ferdousi Shahriar, the Charge d'Affaires of the Bangladesh Embassy, Professor Irene Victoria Massimino, Co-founder and Co-President of the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, and Dr. Tawheed Reza Noor, Visiting Scholar of the State University of New York and Member of International Association for Genocide Scholars (IAGS) spoke at a discussion session held virtually at the Embassy.
Dr. Tawheed Reza Noor, son of martyred intellectual and renowned journalist Serajuddin Hossain, worked with the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention (LIGP) that on 31 December, 2021 recognized as "Genocide" the Pakistan army's atrocities during Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971.
READ: Independence Day celebrated in New Delhi
Noor played an instrumental role behind the historic recognition as the US-based organisation responded positively to his appeal which he initiated with the institute in mid-November last year, the year that commemorated 50th anniversary of Independence of Bangladesh.
The Visiting Scholar of the State University of New York said Genocide Watch, another US-based organisation, recognised as genocide the brutal crimes committed by the Pakistani occupation forces a month after LIGP's recognition.
Prof Massimino, in her remarks, paid tributes to the victims of genocide in Bangladesh and said that the genocide was committed in 1971 against Bengali nation and identity.
Praising the Bangladesh government for its efforts to earn international recognition of the genocide, Prof Massimino, also a lawyer from Argentina, said there are many legal elements to recognise the genocide committed in 1971.
The Co-founder of Lemkin Institute recalled her visit to different sites that bear the marks of genocide in Bangladesh.
Both the speakers shared their thoughts on the efforts of the Bangladesh government and suggested to take a well laid out plan to move forward with the recognition process.
The Charge d'Affaires, in her speech, paid deepest respect to the greatest Bangalee of all times, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and three million martyrs of the Liberation War.
Ferdousi Shahriar said Bangabandhu formally proclaimed the independence of Bangladesh at the first hour of the 26th March 1971 after the Pakistan army's barbaric attack.Under Bangabandhu's fearless leadership, Bangladesh achieved ultimate victory on December 16 in 1971 after the nine-month bloody war against Pakistan, she said.
READ: Independence Day celebrated at DU
The programmes of the Embassy ended with staging 'Candle Light Vigil' in memory of the martyrs of the War of Liberation.
Independence Day celebrated in Bangladesh
Bangladesh observed the Independence and National Day on Saturday, with a fresh vow to take the nation towards prosperity with the Liberation War spirit.
On March 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proclaimed Bangladesh's independence, following a crackdown on unarmed Bengalis on the midnight of March 25 by Pakistani occupation forces.
After a nine-month war with the supreme sacrifices of three million people and the honour of 200,000 women, Bangladesh finally achieved victory on December 16, 1971.
Also read: Hasina greets Freedom Fighters on Independence Day
Independence Day celebrated in New Delhi
Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Saturday celebrated the Independence and National Day with a vow to continue to work for boosting the country’s positive image abroad.
The mission paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Liberation War martyrs by offering special prayers.
In the morning High Commissioner Muhammad Imran led the flag hosting ceremony at the mission.
The national anthem was played to mark the day.
Independence Day messages from President Md. Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam were read out.
READ: Hasina greets Freedom Fighters on Independence Day
Deputy High Commissioner Md. Nural Islam read out the President’s message and Minister (Commerce) Dr. A K M Atiqul Haque read out the Prime Minister’s message.
Minister (Press) Shaban Mahmood also joined.
Before the discussion the High Commissioner placed floral wreath on Bangabandhu’s portrait with the officers and staff of the High Commission.
Bangladesh Biman Airlines and Bangladesh Sangbad Sanghsta – BSS, Delhi staff members were present.
High Commissioner Imran said the farsighted leadership and uncompromising struggle of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman brought the independence.
He also mentioned that it is a very important to get know about Bangabandhu first to know the history of Bangladesh.
"Our independence was based on Bangabandhu’s dream of socio-economic emancipation of the people of Bangladesh. Today the dream becomes reality due to able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her relentless efforts," he said.
The High Commissioner said the new generation should follow the ideology of Bangabandhu. " If we perform our duty and responsibility with honesty and integrity, we will be able to achieve the dreams of Bangabandhu and transform our motherland as Sonar Bangla."
A special prayer was offered for the salvation of the departed souls of all the martyrs of the Liberation War of Bangladesh.
FM pays homage to Bangabandhu, Liberation War martyrs
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Liberation War martyrs on Bangladesh's Independence and National Day.
The Foreign Minister hoisted the national flag at the Foreign Service Academy and also placed a wreath at the temporary altar in memory of Bangabandhu.
Read: Bangladesh celebrates Independence Day
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and other high-ranking officials of the ministry also attended the event.
After placing wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for a while as a mark of profound respect to Bangabandhu and the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War.