Armed Forces Day(Bengali:সশস্ত্র বাহিনী দিবস,romanized:Sôśôstrô Bāhinī Dibôs) is annually observed inBangladeshon 21 November, signifying formation ofBangladesh Armed Forceson the day in 1971, when the members of the BangladeshArmy,NavyandAir Forcewere officially unified under and launched joint operations against thePakistan Armed Forcesin theBangladesh Liberation War.[1][2]On 16 December 1971, thePakistani Armyof 93,000surrenderedto the joint forces of Bangladesh andIndia,ending the 9-month long Liberation War of Bangladesh.
| Armed Forces Day | |
|---|---|
 Shikha Anirban(lit. 'Eternal Flame') atDhaka Cantonment,where thePresidentandPrime Ministerof Bangladesh place wreaths on 21 November annually | |
| Observed by | Bangladesh |
| Significance | Celebrates the official founding of theBangladesh Armed Forces |
| Celebrations | State ceremonies |
| Date | 21 November |
| Next time | 21 November 2025 |
| Frequency | annual |
History
editBangladesh Liberation War initially commenced in the form of resistance movement as the Pakistan Armycracked downon 25 March 1971 primarily atDhakaand subsequently extending it to the entire ofEast Pakistan,now Bangladesh. Gradually, theBangladesh Forces,commonly known asMukti Bahini(lit. 'Freedom Fighters'), organised small groups ofguerrillafighters who followed "hit and run" tactics.[3]As a third stage in the war, theBengalimilitary personnel who were members of Pakistan Army,NavyandAir Forcedeserted their respective units to join Bangladesh Forces and organised them into regular units across the border of Indian territory primarily as land force. A small group of naval commandos also opened the naval wing and a few pilots and airmen formed the air wing.[citation needed]
After a prolonged guerrilla warfare was launched by Bangladesh Forces, which continued for a number of months. A further restructuring was undertaken, and the Bangladesh Forces were organised into three brigade-size combat groups:
- Z Force:Lt. Col.Ziaur Rahmanwas the commander of this force. The brigade was formed with the 1st, 3rd and 8th battalions ofEast Bengal Regimenton 7 July 1971. The Z Force was raised at the foothills of Tura hill, opposite toMymensingh.[4]
- K Force:Lt. Col. (later Brig.)Khaled Mosharrafwas the commander of this force. The brigade was formed atAgartala,with the 4th, 9th and 10th battalions of East Bengal Regiment on September 1971.[4]
- S Force:Maj.K M Shafiullahwas the commander of this force. The Brigade was formed atHezamara,with the 2nd and 11th battalions of East Bengal Regiment on October 1971.[4][5]
Many Bengali sailors and officers in the Pakistan Navy decamped, to form an emerging Bangladesh Navy. Initially, there were two shipsBNSPadmaandBNSPalash and 45 navy personnel. They prevented the supply of arms, ammunition, and rations for the occupation forces. This operation from the Naval Commandos made ports inChittagongandMonglahighly lethal for the occupation forces.[4]
The official date of formation of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has been established as 28 September 1971 and it was launched formally by theProvisional Governmenton 8 October 1971. BAF was formed with all officers and airmen of Bengali origin serving in the Pakistan Air Force prior to the war. Out ofeleven sectors of Bangladesh Forces,the most tactically significant sector, the Central Sector – Sector 11, was in command of a BAF officer including Sector 6. The BAF started their operation from an abandoned airfield atDimapur.[4]
On 21 November 1971, after almost nine months into the war of liberation, all three forces led the joint operation simultaneously, marking the day to be the day as Armed Forces Day. The joining of these forces resulted in large areas along the border to be liberated every day. This allowed the Bangladesh Forces to disrupt the lines of communication within a few days.[4]This day bears special significance in the history of Bangladesh and is being celebrated every year with due solemnity and importance, to honour the sacrifices made by the members of the Bangladesh Armed forces, who fought and gave their lives in the liberation war.[6]
Observances
editThe day starts with laying of floral wreath atShikha Anirban(Bengali:শিখা অনির্বাণ,romanized:Eternal Flame) atDhaka Cantonmentby thePresident,thePrime Ministerand the Service Chiefs. In the afternoon a reception atSenakunja,Dhaka Cantonment is held where the Prime Minister, ministers, the leader of opposition and other high civil and military officials attend.[7][8]In other cantonments, naval and air bases similar receptions are held. A special TV programmeAnirbanis broadcast on different TV channels the previous evening and special newspaper supplements are also published with national dailies. Receptions are also held by the Prime Minister and Service Chiefs for recipients of the gallantry awardFreedom Fighters.Improved meals for family members are served in all military stations.Armed Forces Divisionalso brings out a special publication with articles related to the Liberation War and the armed forces.[9][10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Armed Force Day".Prime Minister's Office, Armed Forces Division.Archived fromthe originalon 10 August 2020.
- ^"Govt will continue efforts to modernise armed forces: PM".Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.20 November 2002. Archived fromthe originalon 28 September 2007.
- ^Iqbal, Mumtaz."Why the Movement for Bangladesh Succeeded: A Military Appreciation".Defence Journal.Archived fromthe originalon 19 March 2009.
- ^abcdefHanif, Mohd. (22 November 2009)."Significance of Armed Forces Day".The Daily Star.Archived fromthe originalon 12 August 2014.Retrieved11 August2014.
- ^"Armed Forces Day today".The Daily Star.21 November 2020.
- ^"Bangladesh observes Armed Forces Day to commemorate martyrs in Liberation War".Xinhua.Archived fromthe originalon 22 November 2019.
- ^"Bangladesh to be victorious, prosperous".The Daily Star.22 November 2015.Retrieved3 April2017.
- ^"BNP unhappy over protocol at Senakunja reception".The Daily Observer.Retrieved3 April2017.
- ^"President, PM pay tribute on Armed Forces Day".bdnews24.com.Retrieved3 April2017.
- ^"Armed Forces Day Sunday".The Financial Express.Dhaka.Retrieved3 April2017.