Although the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has claimed—in its case statements—that the hijacker of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight was carrying a firearm and bomb-like objects, it did not mention the recovery of any such gun or explosives from the slain suspect.
CAAB had filed a case against suspected hijacker Md Palash Ahmed, under the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Aviation Security Anti Crime Act, at Patenga model police station in Chittagong on Monday night.
However, sources told Bangla Tribune that evidences retrieved from the aircraft, including a “toy pistol,” were handed to police over by army officials yesterday.
Apart from the evidence, the suspect’s motive is also being investigated.
The case was transferred to the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) yesterday, while CTTC Inspector Rajesh Barua was made the investigation officer.
Also Read- Biman hijack: Was the suspect carrying a toy gun?
Soon after receiving the case, a CTTC team led by Rajesh went to Shah Amanat International Airport and visited the scene of the incident.
The investigators seized the plane as evidence and placed it in the custody of CAAB.
Statement details
According to case details, passengers and cabin crew members of the Flight BG-147 saw the suspect carrying a firearm and a bomb-like object when he tried to hijack the aircraft midair on Sunday. The suspect also reportedly exploded two cracker-like objects during the attempt.
However, there is no mention of firearms or bomb-like objects being recovered from the suspect when law enforcement officials removed his bullet-wounded body from the aircraft.
When contacted, Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Mahbubur Rahman evaded responding on the issue of a toy pistol.
Also Read- Biman flight hijack drama at Chittagong airport ends with gunman shot dead
Palash buried in Narayanganj
Meanwhile, Palash was buried at Dudhghata village in Narayanganj’s Sonargaon upazila yesterday morning.
He was buried around 9:10am, said his father Piyar Jahan Sardar.
On Monday night, his father was taken to Chittagong to identify his son's body, said CMP Assistant Commissioner (Karnaphuli Zone) Jahidul Islam.
He said Palash’s body was handed over to his father after an autopsy at Chittagong Medical College Hospital.
