Dhaka, Mar 26 : Indian Army officials would join the 37th Independence Day programmes of Bangladesh today for the first time.

Tributes would be paid to martyred war heroes with a pledge to build a prosperous Bangladesh.

In 1971, Bangladesh got independence from Pakistan with the help of India. At least 300,000 people were killed during the liberation war, though other estimates put the figure between one and three million.

At least 15,000 Indian soldiers died during the conflict.

Ten retired Indian Army officers who fought the war will be awarded medals on Wednesday in appreciation of contribution.

The Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will not participate in the official programmes in protest over their leaders' arrest. They will celebrate the day with their own programmes, party sources said. (ANI)