DHAKA — Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said Friday that Bangladesh must remain prepared at all times to defend the country against any aggressive attack by external enemies. He spoke at an Armed Forces Day event at Senakunja.
Yunus opened his remarks by expressing grief and sorrow over the casualties from Friday’s earthquake. He then paid tribute to martyrs of the Liberation War and those killed in the 2024 uprising.
“The armed forces are standing beside the people to honor their trust, both in defending independence and sovereignty and in the July uprising and ongoing state reforms,” Yunus said. “As a peace-loving nation, we believe in dignified and global coexistence with friendly countries. But we must always be prepared to defend the country against any aggressive attack by external enemies.”
Calling on everyone to work together to make the election joyful and festive, Yunus said the upcoming election is crucial for the country’s democratic transition and the armed forces will have to play an important role. “Through this election, we will set out on the path to a new Bangladesh,” he said.
Yunus emphasized the need to develop the armed forces and enhance their capabilities. “The armed forces need development. Skill development and capacity building did not happen during the fascist period. The interim government is working on this. Our steps have increased the country’s defense capability,” he said.
Praising the contribution of Bangladesh’s armed forces to the United Nations, he said members are currently serving in 10 missions. “We are also among the largest contributors of female peacekeepers, and Qatar will take personnel from us. These are recognition of our pride.”
Highlighting the historical significance of Nov. 21, 1971, Yunus said members of the armed forces, freedom fighters and the Bengali people had launched a coordinated attack against the occupation forces on that day.
“This historic coordinated operation accelerated our victory. Through the unparalleled sacrifice of members of the armed forces and ordinary people, we achieved an independent and sovereign Bangladesh,” he said.
Yunus prayed for the souls of the martyrs and paid deep respects to the decorated freedom fighters and their families present at the event. He also remembered those killed in the July 2024 uprising.
“The greatest event in the history of Bangladesh is the great Liberation War. Through the victory achieved in this war, Bangladesh has been established as an independent and sovereign state on the world map,” Yunus said.
From the night of March 25, 1971, Bengali soldiers left the cantonments and joined the armed struggle, he said. “At the same time, our farmers, workers, students, the general public — everyone joined the war with whatever they had. In this way, the war took the shape of a total people’s war.”
To give the Liberation War organizational form, all fighting forces were eventually unified under the name “Bangladesh Forces” and the entire country was divided into 11 sectors, with the war conducted with exceptional bravery, Yunus said.
He recalled that a naval commando team formed of Bangladeshi submariners and sailors then serving in the Pakistan Navy launched a daring operation called “Operation Jackpot,” sinking food and supply ships in various river ports. The “Kilo Flight,” formed of air force members, launched successful attacks on key installations in Chattogram, Narayanganj and elsewhere. “These daring operations will forever shine in the history of our Liberation War,” he said.
Emphasizing the need to seize the opportunity to build a new Bangladesh, Yunus said the country must keep pace with the developed world in technology, the economy and social development. The young generation must be empowered to develop merit-based creativity despite resource constraints and contribute to nation-building, he said.
“We must seize the opportunity to build a new Bangladesh achieved through the courage and sacrifice of the students and people in July 2024 to ensure a beautiful and prosperous future,” Yunus said.
“We will remain committed to the heroic freedom fighters, the martyrs, the injured and the living students and people, so that by seizing the opportunity they have given us, we can present Bangladesh to the world as an example of democratic transition,” he said.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report