The nation celebrates the 38th Victory Day today (Dec 16) commemorating its glorious triumph in the nine-month bloody war against the Pakistani occupation forces through which Bangladesh was liberated this day in 1971.

On the occasion, people will pay rich tribute to the heroic sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives to earn the much-awaited freedom.

The V-day will be celebrated across the country and at its missions abroad with a fresh vow to uphold the spirit of the hard-earned independence and democracy, at a time when the nation is posed for democratic transition from a two-year interregnum since the January 11, 2007 changeover.

On this day in 1971, the chief of the Pakistani occupation forces, general AAK Niazi, along with 93,000 Pakistani troops, surrendered following a miserable defeat to the joint forces of Mukti Bahini and Mitra Bahini, led by general Jagjit Singh Aurora of India, at Ramna Racecourse, now Suhrawardy Udyan, in Dhaka.

In one of the heinous acts of genocide in human history, the Pakistan army and their local collaborators launched a barbarous crackdown killing innocent and unarmed people in the erstwhile East Pakistan at midnight past March 25, 1971.

The nation, under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, finally clinched independence on December 16 after the nine-month- long national liberation war.

The day is a public holiday. The national flag will be hoisted atop all government, semi-government and other important establishments. The day will be heralded by a 31-gun salute at dawn.

People from different social groups and political, cultural, professional and academic organizations and institutions will throng the National Mausoleum in Savar to pay homage to the heroes who embraced martyrdom to liberate the country.

President Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed would lead the nation in placing wreaths at the monument in high tribute to the martyrs.

Strict security measures have been taken all over the country to check any unwanted incident during the celebrations.

Different political, socio-cultural, professional and academic organizations have taken up elaborate programmes to mark the Victory Day.

The President, the Chief Adviser, BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages on the occasion, calling for the people to work unitedly to build a democratic and prosperous Bangladesh imbued with the spirit of independence.

Meanwhile, members of Bangladesh Armed Forces will join the nation in observing the great 'Victory Day' in a befitting manner, said an ISPR release.

The day's programme will begin with a 31-gun salute at the time of sunrise at the old Airport in Dhaka.

Special munajt will be offered at all mosques of Army, Navy and Air Force all over the country, seeking divine blessings for the peace and progress of the country and development of the armed forces.

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed will place floral wreaths at the National Mausoleum at Savar with sunrise. Members from Army, Navy and Air Force will pay guard of honour.

The national flag will be hoisted atop services' headquarters and Armed Forces installations. Important buildings of the armed forces will be illuminated in the evening.

Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force bands will perform in Crescent Lake, Farmgate Park area and Mirpur Stadium respectively from 2 pm to 4 pm. They will play different patriotic and popular tunes.

Besides, few ships of the Bangladesh Navy will be kept open to the visitors from 2 pm to sunset in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Mongla, Barisal and Narayanganj.