Jakarta, Aug. 17 -- President Prabowo Subianto on Sunday night led senior officials in Indonesia's annual National Heroes' Pilgrimage and Sacred Reflection at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, marking the start of 81st Independence Day commemorations.

Prabowo arrived at 11:39 p.m. local time in a presidential Maung Garuda SUV and was welcomed by a marching band.

He proceeded to the cemetery's main monument accompanied by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and former intelligence chief A.M. Hendropriyono.

Prabowo laid a wreath beneath a statue of the Garuda Pancasila state emblem before leading a minute of silence for heroes who died defending Indonesia's independence and sovereignty.

"Let us bow our he...