DHAKA: Indian government has presented Bangladesh an amphibious tank and MI-4 helicopter used by Bangladesh-India joint force against Pakistani army during the 1971 liberation war.

Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla handed over the souvenirs to Bangladesh army and air force at a heartwarming ceremony in Bashar airbase of Dhaka on Wednesday (April 25).

Bangladesh army chief of general staff Lieutenant General Nazimuddin received two PT-76 model tanks while Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Admin) Air Vice Marshal M Abul Bashar received the MI-4 helicopter. 

While addressing the ceremony as chief guest, high commissioner Shringla said Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs of India, gifted the liberation war souvenirs to Bnagladesh PM Sheikh Hasina during her visit here on October 22 in 2017. 

The souvenirs include- two PT-76 tanks, one MI-4 helicopter and 25 firearms including pistol, rifle, machine gun, mortar, rocket launcher. 

Moreover, many artworks, historical photos, audio-video clips, maps, war documents, clippings of magazines, documentary based on liberation war are also part of the souvenirs. 

Shringla said most of the war souvenirs were handed over to Bangladesh National Museum. Now the tanks and copter have been handed to army and air force for displaying in their respective museum.

BDST: 1710 HRS, APR 25, 2018
AP/SMS