A full-scale security drill titled “Airport Security Exercise–2025” was held at Rajshahi’s Shah Makhdum Airport in line with international standards.
The exercise took place at 11:30am on Monday on the airport apron, with Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), present as the chief guest.
He said such drills play a vital role in identifying weaknesses, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and ensuring international-standard passenger services. With coordinated expertise, any unexpected situation can be handled quickly and effectively, he added.
Referring to the October 18 fire at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Chairman Siddiq said security across all areas—from the cargo terminal to Terminal-3—was maintained through the coordinated efforts of AVSEC, the Air Force Taskforce, Army, Navy, APBn, Police, and Ansar. He added that although fires pose risks of theft, looting, or sabotage, the professionalism of the security forces prevented any untoward incident that day.
The chief guest expressed satisfaction with the agencies’ preparedness, saying each showed commendable performance and must continue serving with greater dedication to the national interest.
The drill simulated a bomb threat on a chartered flight from Jessore. Upon receiving the call, the airport manager activated the Emergency Operations Centre, and all agencies responded jointly under RAG Committee guidance.
Participating agencies included CAAB, Bangladesh Army, Navy, RAB, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, APBn, Ansar, Fire Service & Civil Defence, Rajshahi Medical College, Islami Medical College, and several others.
The on-scene commander for the drill was Airport Manager Dilara Parveen. The chief coordinator was CAAB Member (Security) Air Commodore Md Asif Iqbal.
Also present were CAAB Member (Administration) SM Lablur Rahman, Member (Finance) Mohammad Nazmul Haque, Assistant Director Muhammad Kawsar Mahmud, and senior officials from various agencies.
Airport Manager Dilara Parveen said ICAO SARPs and NCASP require such drills every two years. She added that Shah Makhdum Airport, Rajshahi’s only airport, currently serves US-Bangla and Biman flights, and the exercise aimed to test response capacity to threats like terrorism, hijacking, and bomb attacks while boosting stakeholder preparedness.
