Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday visited a Bangladesh Army summer training exercise in Manikganj, in what his deputy press secretary described as the first time a head of government has attended the force’s summer drills in the country’s history.

Tarique Rahman toured the training area of the 8 BIR under the Bangladesh Army’s 9th Infantry Division in Singair upazila of Manikganj on foot and spent an extended period with troops in the field, deputy press secretary Jahidul Islam Rony said.

The prime minister was briefed by the local General Officer Commanding (GOC) and the unit’s Commanding Officer (CO) on ongoing training and strategic preparedness and observed a raid exercise after listening to a commander deliver a verbal operational order.

Rahman inspected troop deployment, combat tactics and the use of weapons, and entered an army bunker to discuss battlefield methods with officers and soldiers, the deputy press secretary added.

During the visit, the prime minister also approached soldiers concealed in camouflage among tree foliage, inquired about their well-being and encouraged them. He later ate field rations prepared for the troops and shared tea with them.

Addressing the soldiers, the prime minister said the people of Bangladesh held deep confidence in the army and praised its role in national crises and law and order.

Rahman stressed the importance of professional training, discipline and “the highest level of operational readiness”, and wished the force continued success.

The prime minister was accompanied by his defence adviser, Brigadier General (retired) AKM Shamsul Islam, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, and Military Secretary Major General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq, among others.