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Published : 19 Nov 2025, 10:41 PM
Bangladesh is set to observe the anniversary of the joint operation launched by the Army, Navy and Air Force against the occupying Pakistani forces in 1971 with a range of programmes across the country.
This Friday, the day will be observed for the second time following the July Uprising that reshaped the nation’s politics.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced in a statement on Wednesday that the programmes will begin after the Fajr prayers with a special supplication.
Mosques in all cantonments, naval bases, and Air Force stations across the country will host prayers for national welfare, the continued advancement of the military, and the salvation of the souls of those who sacrificed their lives in the Liberation War.
The day, observed annually on Nov 21, commemorates the formal unification of Bangladesh’s Army, Navy, and Air Force during the 1971 war.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus delivered separate messages on the occasion.
On Friday morning, they will lay wreaths at Shikha Anirban at Dhaka Cantonment in tribute to the armed forces members who sacrificed their lives in the 1971 war.
Following this, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan will also lay wreaths on behalf of their services.
The three service chiefs will later hold courtesy calls with the chief advisor at the Armed Forces Division and with the president at Bangabhaban.
As part of the observance, Yunus will distribute mementos and exchange greetings with 101 selected decorated freedom fighters and their descendants at the Army Multipurpose Complex in Dhaka Cantonment.
The event will be attended by top military and civilian officials, including the Liberation War affairs advisor, special assistants to the chief advisor, secretaries of the defence and Liberation War ministries, the principal staff officer of the Armed Forces Division, and senior officials from the Chief Advisor’s Office.
The chief justice, former presidents, former chief advisors, advisors and individuals holding advisor rank, foreign ambassadors stationed in Bangladesh, and heads of international organisations will also join.
Judges, the cabinet division secretary, the chief secretary, former heads of the three services, former senior military officers, heirs of all Bir Sreshthas, decorated Armed Forces members and their heirs residing in Dhaka, and wives and relatives of soldiers killed in the 2009 BDR (now BGB) mutiny, recipients of Independence Award and Ekushey Padak, journalists, academics, political and notable public figures, coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, individuals injured during the July Uprising, senior civil servants, and serving as well as retired officers of the three services will attend the programme.
A reception on behalf of the chief advisor will take place at 4pm at Senakunjo in Dhaka Cantonment.
State-run broadcaster Bangladesh Television will carry the event live, the ISPR said.
In addition to Dhaka, receptions and programmes will be organised in cantonments and bases in Barishal, Cox’s Bazar, Bogura, Sylhet, Ghatail, Chattogram, Jashore, Rangpur, and Khulna.
Other military garrisons, naval vessels, and Air Force stations across the country will also hold programmes in coordination with local area headquarters.
Specially decorated naval vessels in Dhaka, Khulna, Chandpur, Barishal, and Chattogram will be anchored for public viewing from 2pm to sunset on Nov 21.
Bangladesh Television will broadcast the “Bishesh Anirban” programme at 8pm on Thursday, while Bangladesh Betar will air a special programme “Bishesh Durbar” at 7:30pm on Friday.
Private television channels will also broadcast the programme in sequence.
National dailies will publish special supplements marking the day, and educational institutions run by the Armed Forces will host essay and art competitions.
The ISPR earlier announced that traffic movement inside Dhaka Cantonment will be restricted on the day.
To keep the main road from Birsreshto Shaheed Jahangir Gate to Staff Road free of congestion, all vehicles other than those carrying residents of the cantonment and invited guests have been asked to avoid the area between 7am and 11am, and again from 12pm to 7pm.
