3 Air Force Members Killed, 4 Injured in Accident at Hazrat Shahjalal Airport
Three members of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) were killed and four others injured after an Air Force pickup fell from a flyover near the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) International Airport in Dhaka. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), the accident occurred at around 9:35pm on Monday while seven Air Force members were performing Quick Response Force duties in the third terminal area. Air Force personnel immediately rescued the victims and took them to Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka.
Doctors at CMH declared three BAF members; Warrant Officer Sultan Mahmud, Corporal Moniruzzaman Pias and LAC Md Zubaidul Islam– dead (Inna lillahi oya inna ilaihi rajiun). The four other members, who sustained serious injuries, are receiving treatment at CMH. Since August 5, BAF personnel have been deployed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and other major airports across the country under the “Aid to Civil Power” arrangement. They have been carrying out duties to maintain law and order, ensure passenger safety and facilitate safe and comfortable travel.
A military funeral parade and Janaza for the deceased were held with full military honours on Tuesday afternoon at the C-130 hangar of BAF Base Bir Uttam A K Khandker (Kurmitola) in Dhaka Cantonment. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat and Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman attended the Janaza. Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Chief of Air Staff, placed wreaths on the coffins to pay tribute to the deceased.
Family members of the deceased, former Air Force chiefs, senior government officials, senior military officers and personnel from different ranks also attended the ceremony. After the Janaza, the bodies were taken to their respective ancestral homes. A BAF delegation will later complete their burial with due military honours.
The Bangladesh Air Force expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families. It also wished a speedy recovery for the injured members.
