Dhaka: The nation observed the National Mourning Day on Wednesday with due reverence and solemnity, marking the 43^rd anniversary of assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led the nation in paying homage to the Father of the Nation.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—the architect of the country’s independence—was assassinated along with most of his family members at the crack of dawn on August 15, 1975 by a cabal of army personnel under a deep-rooted conspiracy against the country and its independence.

His two daughters—Sheikh Hasina, now the prime minister, and Sheikh Rehana - luckily survived the massacre as they were abroad at that time.

Eighteen members of the family along with Bangabandhu’s wife Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, three sons—Captain Sheikh Kamal, Lt Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell--, two daughters-in-law—Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal --, brother Sheikh Naser, peasant leader Abdur Rob Serniabat, youth leader Sheikh Fazlul Haq Moni and his wife Arzu Moni, Baby Serniabat, Sukanta Babu, Arif and Abdul Nayeem Khan Rintu were killed on the fateful night.

Bangabandhu’s Military Secretary Col Jamil Uddin Ahmad (Bir Uttam), who was later promoted posthumously to the rank of Brigadier General, was also killed during the massacre. Some members of a family at Mohammadpur in the capital were killed by artillery shells fired by the killers on the same day.

The day was a public holiday.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the architect of the independence by placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road-32 in the capital in the morning.

After placing wreaths, they stood there in solemn silence for some time showing respects to the great leader.

A smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave a state salute at that time, while bugle played tune of grief and sombre to the last post.

A munajat was offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the August 15 carnage.

Later, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Awami League, flanked by party’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader and senior leaders placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of the Awami League.

After paying tributes to Bangabandhu, the Prime Minister along with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana visited the historic residence of Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi Road-32 which witnessed the world’s most barbaric carnage on this day 43 years ago.

Both stayed there in the house for some time which has now been turned into Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.

Later, the Prime Minister went to Banani Graveyard where her mother Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib, Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell and other martyrs of August 15 were laid to eternal rest.

Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana placed wreaths and spread flower petals on their graves.

They also offered Fateha and doa seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of August 15.

Later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his mazar in Tungipara of Gopalganj.

After laying the wreath, the Prime Minister stood there in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the architect of the independence.

A smartly turned out contingent drawn from the three services gave a state salute on the occasion, while bugle played the last post. The chiefs of the three services were present on the occasion.

Accompanied by Sheikh Rehana, the younger daughter of Bangabandhu, the Prime Minister then offered munajat at the mazar seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the Father of the Nation, Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib and other martyrs of August 15, 1975 massacre.

Prayers were also offered seeking continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.

The Prime Minister along with cabinet members, party leaders and workers joined a milad and doa mahfil organised by the cabinet division and Gopalganj district administration on the mazar premises.

Bangladesh Mohila Awami League arranged a milad and doa mahfil in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32 in the capital after Asr prayers.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Rehana, PM’s daughter Saima Wazed Hossain Putul and her husband Khandakar Mashroor Hossain, Sheikh Rehana’s son Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby as well as other family members and relatives of the Prime Minister joined the milad.

Meanwhile, thousands of people poured into Dhanmondi Road-32 early Wednesday to place wreaths at the mural of Bangabandhu.

The national flag was kept half-mast at government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, educational institutions, private buildings and Bangladesh missions in abroad.

Bangladesh missions abroad also observed the day with elaborate programmes.