A clash at a Bangladesh airbase in Cox’s Bazar resulted in one man dead and several injuries, including four air force personnel. The conflict arose after local residents attacked the base following the detention of a biker who lacked vehicle documents. The Inter Service Public Relations stated that air force personnel fired blank shots, claiming the incident was instigated by local “miscreants.” The defense ministry denied that live ammunition was used. Meanwhile, concerns about rising crime spurred a massive police crackdown termed “Operation Devil Hunt,” amid calls for stronger law enforcement and a safer environment as protests against the government continue.
Dhaka:
A man was killed and several others sustained injuries during a clash on Monday involving local residents and air force personnel at an airbase in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, officials reported.
The Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, issued a statement indicating that “miscreants” attacked the Bangladesh Air Force Base located near Cox’s Bazar’s Samitipara. “The Bangladesh Air Force is taking necessary actions in response,” the statement mentioned.
The ISPR elaborated that “some local miscreants” from the Samitipara area adjacent to the beach resort town “launched an unexpected assault” on the airbase after a biker was stopped at a checkpoint while attempting to cross the base area without the necessary vehicle documents.
Following this, the biker was brought inside the base for questioning, prompting more than 200 individuals to march towards the base. Security forces attempted to intervene, which escalated into a clash that resulted in injuries to four Air Force personnel.
The Deputy Commissioner of the district, Mohammad Salahuddin, confirmed that one individual was killed and several others were injured in the scuffle. He stated that a comprehensive investigation would be undertaken to ascertain the reasons behind the attack.
The officer in charge of a local police box at a nearby hospital treating the injured reported that the incident occurred around noon. “Shihab Kabir, 30, a local trader, was shot during the confrontation,” the officer noted.
This incident triggered a wave of outrage on social media, with claims that the youth had died from gunfire fired by Air Force personnel. In response, Bangladesh’s defense ministry issued a statement asserting that BAF members did not discharge any live ammunition during the incident.
The ISPR clarified that Air Force personnel fired “blank shots” to safeguard a crucial facility, and no shots were directed at the crowd. They attributed the incident to an “evil motive” by certain “vested interests.” “The Bangladesh Air Force extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased youth,” it stated.
A local journalist reported that the government has plans to expand the airport and relocate nearby residents, a proposal that has faced opposition from some community members.
The attack unfolded shortly after Home Affairs Advisor, Lt Gen (retd.) M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to upholding law and order.
During a pre-dawn press conference at his residence, Mr. Chowdhury alleged that “cohorts” of the deposed Awami League regime under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were attempting to disrupt the nation, but asserted that “they will face consequences.”
“We will ensure that criminals have no safe haven and that we thwart crimes at all costs,” he declared, directing law enforcement agencies to enhance their patrol efforts nationwide.
In a two-week crackdown dubbed “Operation Devil Hunt,” Bangladesh’s security forces have apprehended over 8,600 individuals allegedly connected to gangs aligned with the ousted Hasina administration.
These arrests come amidst rising concerns regarding escalating crime rates, particularly in Dhaka, with police reporting that the number of robberies has doubled since January of last year. “Operation Devil Hunt will persist. We cannot allow the wrongdoers to rest. I have instructed the forces to intensify patrolling,” Mr. Chowdhury told reporters.
His urgent briefing follows student-led protests during the July-August 2024 uprising that ultimately toppled the Awami League regime, with many students voicing apprehension about the worsening law and order situation and demanding his resignation.
In another development, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman stated on Monday that the military must continue its efforts to maintain law and order until an elected government is established.
“Initially, we believed this task would be swiftly completed, allowing us to return to the cantonment. However, we have been engaged for a significant duration. It is essential that we exercise patience and diligently fulfill our professional responsibilities,” he remarked during an event at the suburban Savar Cantonment.
General Zaman emphasized the importance of minimizing the use of force in carrying out duties, indicating that it should only be applied when absolutely necessary.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)