Border Guard Bangladesh yesterday deployed a dog squad at the Sylhet international airport to prevent possible subversion attempts.
A six-member BGB team was supervising the two-dog squad, deployed in the morning.
BGB 5 Battalion’s Deputy Commander Maj Lutful Karim told a news conference at the airport that BGB members would discharge routine duties at the airport.
Lt Col Shah Alam Chowdhury, chief of BGB 41 Battalion, said the two dogs were highly trained in detecting narcotics and firearms. The dog squad’s operation will be widened in other areas of the district if there was any risk.
A dog squad was deployed at the Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong two days before.
Manager of MAG Osmani International Airport in Sylhet Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said: “BGB officials visited the airport on Tuesday and said they would make the necessary security arrangements.”
Sources said recent flights had taken off and landed amid tight security. Strong security is ensured for flights coming from London and the Middle East as passengers and their luggage are checked with extra precaution.
The airport’s internal security had been beefed up a week ago. The steps included deployment of Armed Police Battalion personnel and stronger intelligence surveillance.
On Tuesday, BGB officials inspected the key points of the airport, including the runway, passenger hall, VIP lounge and immigration, for nearly three hours before holding a meeting with the airport authorities.
On October 26, a security alert was issued at Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka in the wake of the murders of two foreign nationals in the country.
Another alert was issued at MAG Osmani International Airport within hours.