BAF plane with emergency supplies in Lebanon

As decided earlier, a Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) aircraft reached Beirut on Monday with emergency supplies for victims of the August 4 Beirut explosions that killed and injured many, including Bangladeshis.

The C-130J transport aircraft is expected to return home on Wednesday with an unspecified number of Bangladeshis stranded in Lebanon, according to  Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam and Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR). 

The aircraft carried approximately two tonnes of medical supplies, eight tonnes of relief items and two tonnes of spare parts for the damaged Bangladesh Navy ship Bijoy that had been deployed as part of a United Nations mission. 

Also Read- OP-ED: What really happened in Beirut?

Bangladesh Ambassador in Beirut Maj Gen Md Jahangir Al Mustahidur Rahman handed over the aid to the Lebanese government, according to the Bangladesh embassy in Lebanon.

A four-member technical evaluation team of Bangladesh Navy, led by a rear admiral, was also on board to assess the damage to the ship. 

A physician has also been flown to Lebanon by the aircraft.

Group Captain Santanu Chowdhury is leading the mission, comprising 12 BAF air crew.