Dhaka, March 26 -- President Mohammad Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have led the nation in paying homage to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War on the 53rd anniversary of Bangladesh's emergence as a sovereign country.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan -- the first country to recognise Bangladesh's independence -- joined the heads of state and government at the National Memorial in Savar on Tuesday to honour the fallen heroes.

After laying wreaths at the altar of the memorial, the dignitaries observed a moment of silence while the Armed Forces offered a guard of honour as bugles played a sombre tune.

Hasina later paid her respects to the martyrs in her capacity as the chief of the ruling Awami League, accom...