Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Bangladesh Army, a force imbued with the spirit of the War of Liberation, is very much ready than ever before to foil plans of any evil force.

Confidence of the people in the army has been strengthened as the force is equipped with vast  resources of modern war machines and able to operate those efficiently, she said at a  maneuver exercise of Bangladesh Army at Swarna Dweep in the district yesterday.

Sheikh Hasina said modern armament of the army and their tough activities manifest their professionalism. Excellent maneuver is an example of modern and strong military force, she said praising the attractive exercise of the 11 Infantry Division.

"We don't want war, but we have to have every preparation to foil any attempt against our independence and sovereignty," she said, adding, "Our armed forces are growing up as befitting enough required for an independent country."

The exercise was organised under the management of the 93 Armour Brigade Group of 11 Infantry Division of Bangladesh Army. Brig Gen Sharif Ahsan led the exercise.

"I'm confident over the overall capacity of the army after seeing the use of newly inducted MBT-2000 tank, APC BTR-80, Self Propelled Artillery Gun, NORA-B-52, Radar Vehicle SLC-2, anti-tank missile METIS-M-1 and professionalism of the army," she said.

Army Chief General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq gave the welcome address on the occasion, attended by ministers, chiefs of navy and air forces, parliament members, GOCs of 11 and 33 infantry divisions.

The island popularly known as Jahaijjar Char under Noakhali district surfaced in 1978.

The inaccessible island for long had been used by the organised miscreants and pirates as  their safe haven, disrupting the activities of the civil administration.

Situated over a three-meter height from the sea level, the island is about 360 square kilometers in area. In 2013, the island was renamed as “Swarna Dweep” and the government allocated it to the Bangladesh Army in 2013 for training as well as development of the island for habitation, improved law and order and afforestation.