Air Force is returning its members to their barracks

Staff Correspondent

The Bangladesh Air Force is withdrawing its personnel from security duties inside Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and returning them to their barracks. Through this, the force is gradually distancing itself from the Yunus government—this is an indication of recent developments.

The Armed Police Battalion (APBN) has returned to take charge of security inside the airport, while members of the Air Force are returning to their respective units.

Distance from the government?

Political analysts are not viewing the gradual removal of air force members from duty and their return to barracks as just a regular change of duty.

Security analyst Aminul Haque said the air force is gradually distancing itself from the Yunus government. This move, in the name of maintaining discipline and maintaining a balance of security, is showing signs of cooling relations between the government and the military.

Tensions began with the rebellion

In August 2024, the Air Force was temporarily deployed to secure the airport after thousands of Ansar members deserted overnight in the ‘Ansar rebellion’. At the same time, the APBN was prevented from internal duties. Later, the APBN and the Air Force became embroiled in a series of counter-allegations against each other, including occupying office space with AVSEC, removing goods, harassing passengers, and even supplying videos.

The matter became more complicated when Air Commodore Asif Iqbal, a member of the latest investigation team (security), accused the APBN commander of breaching etiquette in a letter.

According to government sources, it was decided in a meeting held at the office of the Chief Advisor on Wednesday that the APBN would once again be responsible for airport terminal-based security. The meeting was chaired by Lutfe Siddiqui, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor on International Affairs.

IGP Baharul Alam, Secretary of the Office of the Chief Advisor M Saifullah Panna, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation Nasreen Jahan, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority Air Vice Marshal Mustafa Mahmud Siddique, Member (Security) Air Commodore Asif Iqbal and other senior officials were present.