Staff Reporter:
Serious questions have been raised over security at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after a businessman allegedly managed to board a flight to Delhi with a bag containing 31 live rounds of ammunition.
The bag reportedly belonged to Nazrul Islam Bhuiyan, chairman of Ashiyan Group, and passed through several layers of security at the Dhaka airport without the ammunition being detected.
The rounds were eventually detected by scanners at Delhi airport after Nazrul and his family members arrived there on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight on 16 July.
The incident has prompted the airport authorities to launch an investigation into how the ammunition passed through heavy-luggage screening, check-in, immigration and the final security check before boarding.
According to a video report published by Jugantor, an investigation found that the bag had passed through all security layers without being detected. It also reportedly identified those responsible for the serious security lapse.
An investigation official said CCTV footage had been reviewed in full. The official claimed that the footage indicated serious negligence at every stage of the security process and that the passenger had allegedly been given preferential treatment in violation of regulations.
The official said such lapses were primarily responsible for the ammunition not being detected.
Aviation expert Kazi Wahidul Alam said there was no scope for negligence at any level of security at a sensitive facility such as an airport.
“It is extremely concerning that a bag containing 31 live rounds could be taken on board an aircraft after passing through multiple security checks,” he said.
SM Ragib Samad, executive director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, said the matter was being treated with utmost importance.
He said CCTV footage and all relevant information had been reviewed, adding that recommendations had been made to take action against those found responsible for negligence, irregular protocol or failure to conduct proper security checks.
According to information available, Nazrul Islam Bhuiyan, his son Aredin Bhuiyan and daughter Nusrat Zubaira entered Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on 16 July to travel to Delhi on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-397.
The ammunition in one of their bags was not detected despite the multiple security checks at the Dhaka airport. The bag was later detected by scanners at Delhi airport, following which the authorities there informed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
A senior Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh official said passengers’ heavy luggage is initially screened at Gate 6 after entering the airport. Following check-in and immigration, passengers and their belongings undergo another final security check and screening before boarding.
“If 31 rounds of ammunition can still make it on board after passing through so many stages, the issue raises serious questions not only about the competence of an individual scanner operator but also about the effectiveness of the entire security chain,” the official said.
