Dhaka: Jatiya Oikyafront chief Dr Kamal Hossain and BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir joined the reception at Senakunja of Dhaka Cantonment on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day 2018 on Wednesday.

BNP standing committee and former army Chief Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman also joined the reception.

Mahbub said some BNP leaders, including Fakhrul and Oikyafront chief Dr Kamal Hossain, took part in the reception hosted by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

PM’s Security Affairs Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat were present on the occasion.

After addressing the audience, the Prime Minister exchanged pleasantries with the army officials and their family members, diplomats and other guests.

The Armed Forces Day was observed across the country on Wednesday with due solemnity and enthusiasm marking the establishment of Bangladesh military during the Liberation War.

On this day in 1971, Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising army, navy and air force, came into being and launched an all-out attack on the Pakistani occupation forces.

Since the country’s independence, the day is observed as the Armed Forces Day every year.