Begum Khaleda Zia – democracy icon and uncompromising leader of the country – was laid to eternal rest with state honours in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon, plunging the nation, including her party leaders and activists, into waves of sorrow.

The three-time former prime minister and BNP chairperson was buried beside the grave of her husband, late president Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan in the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.

The burial process began around 4:30pm as Khaleda Zia’s body was lowered into her grave. Her elder son and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman also joined others inside the grave to lower the body.

After the burial, a smartly turned-out contingent drawn from the Bangladesh Army, the Bangladesh Navy, and the Bangladesh Air Force presented a state salute with three gunshots in honour of Khaleda Zia, as the bugle played the last post.

On behalf of President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, floral wreaths were placed at the grave of Khaleda Zia. Later, Tarique Rahman and chiefs of the three services placed wreaths at her grave.

Following the burial, prayers were offered seeking the eternal peace of the departed soul.

Family members of the BNP chief, several advisers of the interim government, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee members, and other senior leaders attended the burial rituals.