Dhaka: Independence and National Day Parade 2026 was held with great pomp at the National Parade Square today after 18 years. President Mohammed Shahabuddin attended as the chief guest and took the salute during the parade. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also witnessed the colorful parade.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the premier, along with Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, State Minister Ishraque Hossain, Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr. AKM Shamsul Islam, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan received the President at the parade ground. The event was graced by the presence of Jatiya Sangsad speaker, cabinet members, members of parliament, senior military and civil officials, foreign diplomats, and media personalities.
The parade was organized under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs with support from the Armed Forces Division and overall management by the 9th Infantry Division. Freedom fighters, armed forces, paramilitary forces, and members of the Fire Service and Civil Defence participated in the parade. Major General SM Asadul Haque, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 9th Infantry Division and Area Commander of Savar Area, served as the parade commander, while Brigadier General Mohammad Shafqat-Ul-Islam, Commander of the 71 Mechanized Brigade, acted as the deputy commander.
A total of 25 contingents from various forces gave a salute to the President. The combined mechanized contingent was led by Brigadier General Md Anwar Uz Zaman, Commander of the 9 Artillery Brigade, and featured significant military weapons. Decorated vehicles carrying freedom fighters also saluted the President. Fly-pasts by Army Aviation, Naval Aviation, BGB Air Wing, and RAB Forces, along with freefall jumps by adventurous Para Commando members, added interest to the parade.
Following the mechanized display, the Bangladesh Air Force conducted an impressive fly-past and aerobatic display, led by Air Commodore Mehedi Hasan. The parade was broadcast live by state-owned Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, and other private TV channels and radio stations.
In order to uphold the true history of the great independence and Liberation War to the new generation, a significant number of banners and billboards containing the spirit of the great Independence and National Day were displayed on both sides of the city roads and the National Parade Square. These banners and billboards reflected the great Liberation War and the immortal history and heritage of the Bangalee nation. Additionally, pictures of notable activities of all the forces participating in the parade were displayed on the parade ground.