The authorities of the international airports in Dhaka, Sylhet and Chittagong have beefed up security arrangements after intelligence sources reportedly alerted them about possible sabotages by a criminal group.
Alamgir Hossain Shimul, senior assistant police super of the Airport Armed Police Battalion (APBn) of Dhaka, said: “Based on an intelligence report, check posts [have been set up] and vigilance increased at the airport. Every official has been asked to perform their duty by remaining alert.”
He, however, did not explain the details in the intelligence report.
According to a source, a organised criminal group has been planing to hijack a plane or carry out a bomb attack at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport of Dhaka by entering as visitors or passengers.
The airport authorities held an emergency meeting on Sunday night. There they discussed the incident where a woman was found in the the runway area two days ago without a boarding pass.
They decided to put an immediate ban on the entry of all visitors to the concourse hall. The decision came into effect yesterday morning.
During a visit to the airport yesterday, a Dhaka Tribune correspondent saw that APBn members were deployed at all the entrances.
Each vehicle entering the airport area were having to pass a tight security check. They were also checking if anyone was found moving suspiciously in the area. Moreover, nobody is being allowed to enter the airport premises without showing valid proofs of identity.
Apart from installing new closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, the authorities have repaired the out-of-order cameras. The boarding and departure areas have also been brought under vigilance.
The last time the Dhaka airport authorities took similar measures was back in January when the BNP-Jamaat alliance was staging anti-government street protests. That arrangement remained in place until May.
In a press statement released yesterday, the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, in charge of these airports, also said that it is not a red alert.
The ministry statement explained that the authorities of the Dhaka airport have only restructured security management and the entry of visitors has been restricted temporarily due to renovation and repair works.
Sylhet
Meanwhile, at the MAG Osmani International Airport in Sylhet, the authorities have not been allowing any visitors to enter since yesterday morning.
The airport’s Chief Security Officer Nazrul Islam said only passengers are allowed entrance following search of their luggage, handbags, shoes and belts.
He also said the beefed up security arrangements will remain in place until further notice.
Sources said security at the Osmani airport was strengthened nearly a week ago following a directive from the higher authorities on Sunday night.
Md Rahmat Ullah, deputy commissioner of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, said that they had increased manpower outside the airport and members of the Armed Police Battalion have been deployed inside.
Rajshahi
The authorities at Rajshahi’s Shah Makhdum Airport has also tightened security yesterday.
Tanvir Haider Chowdhury, deputy commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Security has been beefed up at the airport to make sure that no untoward incidents take place.”
No international flights are operated at the Rajshahi airport; only several flights from and to Dhaka operate from this airport.
