Rajshahi: Terming terrorism a great threat to global peace, President Abdul Hamid on Thursday asked the 1-Para Commando Battalion of Bangladesh Army to stay alert to face any unexpected situation in the country.

‘Today, terrorism and militancy aren’t a problem for a single country or a nation. It’s now a problem for all countries of the world—both developed and developing ones,’ he told a function of the 1-Para Commando Battalion of Bangladesh Army at Rajshahi Cantonment.

In the present context, the President said, the role of para-commandos is very important and that is why every member of the battalion must achieve efficiency and skill of international standard.

He said Bangladesh Army is a symbol of the country’s trust and proud while the members of the special force are the part of this.

The journey of the special force was launched by establishing the 1-Para Commando Battalion in 1992, Hamid said, adding the members of the force performed many important responsibilities in last 25 years apart from giving services to the country.

He said the commandos of the special force are very smart, disciplined and courageous soldiers, and they have been working sincerely to protect the country’s sovereignty.

Recalling the successful operations of the 1-Para Commando Battalion in combating militancy, the President said the commandos of the battalion conducted ‘Operation Thunderbolt’ at the city’s Holey Artisan Bakery on July 1, 2016, and recovered 13 hostages, including foreign nationals, which help improve the country’s image.

He said the members of Bangladesh Army work to manage crisis during natural disasters, including flood and landslide, in the country and now they are working sincerely to distribute aids and provide other assistances to Rohingya people who forcibly displaced from Myanmar after facing long persecution and took shelters in Bangladesh’s territory.

Noting that there is no alternative to training in military life, Hamid said he believes that the trend of training and development will continue in the future, which will cast a positive impact on the mental strength of the soldiers and encourage them to work more sincerely for their motherland.

He said there is also no alternative to practice of knowledge and research for going ahead in a rapidly changing, competitive and ICT-based world.

The President said he believes that Para Commando Battalion through its multidimensional and realistic initiatives will play a significant contribution to strengthening the country’s defence, disaster management and the international peacekeeping missions.

President Hamid bestowed the National Flag (national standard) to the 1-Para Commando Battalion at the function.

Cabinet members, the chiefs of the three services and senior military officials were present.