National Martyred Army Day was observed with due respect on Wednesday, marking the 17th anniversary of the martyrdom of Bangladesh Army officers who were killed in the brutal incident at the then Bangladesh Rifles (now Border Guard Bangladesh) headquarters in Pilkhana on February 25–26, 2009.

On the occasion, wreaths were laid at the graves of the martyrs at the Military Graveyard in Banani, Dhaka, in honor of the fallen soldiers President Mohammed Shahabuddin; Prime Minister Tarique Rahman; Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed; the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force; senior secretary of the Public Security Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs; the Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh; and family members of the martyrs paid their respects, accordiong to the Inter Service Public Relation Direcotrate (ISPR),

A one-minute silence was observed in honor of the martyrs, and serving members of the armed forces offered a salute. Prayers were later offered, seeking eternal peace for the departed souls.

Special prayers, Qur’an recitations, milad mahfils and munajats were also held at mosques of the armed forces across the country for the martyrs.