PM makes surprise visit to army summer exercise

Prime Minister Tarque Rahman made an unannounced visit to a summer training exercise of the Bangladesh Army, spending time with soldiers on the ground.

It was the first time in the country‍‍`s history that a prime minister personally visited the field area of an army summer training exercise and spent an extended period with frontline personnel.

The prime minister arrived unexpectedly at the summer training area of 8 Bir under the 9 Infantry Division of the Bangladesh Army in Singair upazila of Manikganj at 9:20am on Tuesday. He walked through a large part of the training area and inspected the ongoing activities.

During the exercise, Prime Minister Tarque Rahman visited various sections of the "farm base" and was briefed by the responsible General Officer Commanding (GOC) and the unit‍‍`s Commanding Officer (CO) on training activities and tactical preparations.

He listened attentively to a commander‍‍`s verbal operational order and observed a raid exercise conducted by army personnel.

The prime minister also inspected various aspects of battlefield positioning, military tactics, weapon use and realistic combat training. He entered army bunkers and exchanged views with participating officers and soldiers on operational strategies.

He also visited soldiers positioned in camouflage behind tree cover, inquired about their well-being and encouraged them in their duties.

At one point, Prime Minister Tarque Rahman ate freshly prepared field food arranged for participating soldiers and shared tea with them. The soldiers present expressed enthusiasm over the prime minister spending significant time with them on the training ground.

Addressing the soldiers later, the prime minister said the people of Bangladesh have deep confidence in the country‍‍`s army. Praising the force‍‍`s role during national crises and in maintaining law and order, he stressed the importance of professional training, discipline and maintaining the highest level of preparedness.

He also wished continued success for the Bangladesh Army.

Prime Minister‍‍`s Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Military Secretary to the Prime Minister Major General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq and senior Army officers were present.