DHAKA, Bangladesh

Bangladesh on Tuesday celebrated the 54th Independence and National Day, with President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina pledging to advance the delta nation of 170 million people and strengthen democracy.

Early in the morning, the president and premier paid rich tribute to the Liberation War martyrs by laying wreaths at the Memorial in Savar, in the outskirts of the capital Dhaka.

Bangladesh began its liberation movement on March 26, 1971.

Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who is in the city for a four-day official visit, accompanied the country's leadership to honor Liberation War heroes.

Bhutan was the first country to recognize Bangladesh on Dec. 6, 1971.

Separately, the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and other political leaders also paid their respects to the nation's heroes.

Earlier on Monday night, Hasina expressed gratitude to the nation in her televised address for electing her party to serve the country for the fifth time.

“Bangladesh today is a shining example in the developing world in terms of socioeconomic development,” she said.

Meanwhile, on Independence Day, two Bangladeshi citizens were allegedly killed by the Indian Border Security Force in the northern border districts of Naogaon and Lalmonirhat, police confirmed.