Security has been beefed up at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital with the deployment of additional forces.
As part of the security measures, restriction has been imposed on entrance or access for any visitor and only passengers can enter the airport.
Authorities concerned said on security grounds, not only the restriction was imposed, also none of the passengers, their luggage and vehicles were being allowed in unchecked.
Wing Commander Zakir Hossain, Director of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, told the Dhaka Tribune: “The restriction has been imposed and all the measures have been taken on security grounds considering the existing circumstance as well as image of the country.”
Asked, Zakir said: “Although we have no specific information, the initiatives have been taken as part of the precautionary measures so that any kind of subversive or other untoward incidents could not take place.”
The restriction will remain active for a certain period. The circumstances will determine the removal of the restrictions or the airport might decide to lift it earlier, he added replying to a query.
Sources at the main airport of the country said entrance or access in the airport has been restricted following a meeting held earlier on Wednesday with the participation of the officials from the Rab, Police, BGB, Ansar, and other security and intelligence agencies.
Witnesses said excepting the passengers, none of their relatives, family members and any visitor were being allowed to enter the airport.
Assistant Superintendent Shoyeb Ahmed of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn), which is designated for ensuring the security for the airports, said they were asked not to allow any kind of visitor with any passenger. Besides, no vehicle and luggage will enter unchecked.
Security check posts have been installed at different points for searching in and around the airport, said the APBn official.
Sources said apart from deployment of additional forces and intensified vigilances by the intelligence and plain clothed forces, they were asked to check any kind of subversive acts in the spate of unstable law and order situation of the country.
Besides, a new system has also been adopted by issuing security pass and duty pass for the officials and employees at the airport.
Sources said the intensified measures have been taken considering a number of subversive acts, which caused damages to more than 20 railway engines, 100 bogies and several hundred buses, trucks and other types of transports alongside the deaths and injuries to a large number of people.
