Dhaka, Dec. 30 -- Bangladesh awoke to mourning as news of BNP chief Khaleda Zia's death spread across towns and districts, drawing people into prayer gatherings, Quran recitations and remembrance meetings.

Alongside official state mourning, ordinary citizens joined party activists in paying tribute to one of the country's most enduring political figures.

The government declared three days of state mourning and her party announced a seven-day observance.

Khaleda had been suffering from multiple long-term and complex health conditions, including liver and kidney complications, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and infection-related illnesses.

She had been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara sinc...