Savar: President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to the martyrs of the War of Independence by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar on Thursday marking the 45^th Independence and National Day.

President Hamid first placed a wreath at the altar of the memorial followed by the Prime Minister.

After placing the wreaths, the President and the Prime Minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of the War of Independence in 1971.

The bugle played the last post and a smartly turned-out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a state salute on the occasion.

Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, ministers, advisers, parliament members, chiefs of the three services, freedom fighters, diplomats and high civil and military officials were present on the occasion. Later, flanked by senior leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Bangladesh Awami League laid another wreath at the National Memorial on behalf of her party.

Besides, Speaker Shirin Sharmin and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begum Raushan Ershad placed wreaths at the National Memorial and paid their deep homage to the martyrs.