President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, as well as the newly appointed ministers and state ministers yesterday paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar.

The president reached the memorial at 10:00am and laid a floral wreath at the altar in honour of the martyrs. He then stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of respect.

During the ceremony, a smartly turned-out contingent of the three armed forces presented a state salute, while a bugle played the “Last Post”.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Rear Admiral Khondkar Misbah ul Azim and other senior military officials were present.

Fakhrul also signed the visitors’ book and planted a sapling.

Later around 1:30pm, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Moyeen Khan; Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman Partho; Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rasheduzzaman Millat; CHT Affairs Minister Sa Ching Prue; Foreign Affairs State Minister Humaiun Kobir; and Religious Affairs State Minister Mohammad Shamim Kaiser Lincoln paid their homage.

The memorial premises were reopened to the public around 2:00pm after the ministers left.