Army chief to visit Bangladesh; to gift legacy artillery guns

Army chief general V K Singh will pay a five-day visit to Bangladesh beginning 19 June in a bid to bolster defence co-operation between the two counties.

Gen Singh, who fought in the war as a second lieutenant as part of the Rajput Regiment, will gift three antique 3.7 Howitzers to the Bangladeshi army as mementoes - Mujeeb Battery was Bangladesh's first artillery battery armed with 3.7 inch Howitzers. The Howitzers were also used by India several decades ago.

''Since Bangladesh wanted some guns for its legacy value and for perpetuating the Mujeeb Battery's memory and accomplishments, these guns are being gifted,'' officers in the army headquarters said.

Singh will also present the required equipment for setting up a computer lab and a rock-climbing wall for the Bangladeshi armed forces, both for training purposes.

The gestures are part of India's and the army chief's efforts to take forward the defence relations between the South Asian neighbours, the officers added.

During his visit, Singh will also call on President Mohammed Zillur Rahman and PM Sheikh Hasina, and will be attending the passing-out parade of two batches of the Bangladesh military academy in Chittagong.