Dhaka: A violent confrontation between residents and air force personnel at the Bangladesh Air Force Base near Cox’s Bazar resulted in the death of one individual and left several others injured on Monday.
Officials reported that the clash began after a motorcyclist was stopped at a security checkpoint for failing to produce proper documentation.
The individual was taken inside the base for questioning, which led to over 200 locals marching toward the installation in protest.
The situation escalated as the crowd clashed with security personnel.
According to the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, the air force responded by firing blank shots to disperse the crowd, asserting that no live bullets were used.
However, the incident resulted in the death of a 30-year-old local trader, Shihab Kabir, sparking public outrage and allegations that the air force had fired live ammunition.
In its statement, the ISPR expressed regret over the loss of life, extending condolences to Kabir’s family while labelling the incident as the result of an “evil motive” by certain vested interests.
The Ministry of Defence reiterated that the actions taken were necessary to protect the base and emphasised that only blank rounds were fired.
The Deputy Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar, Mohammad Salahuddin, confirmed that an investigation would be conducted to uncover the circumstances surrounding the violence.
Speculation has arisen that the clash may be linked to government plans to expand the airport, which requires relocating local residents—a proposal that has faced significant resistance from the community.
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This incident occurred amidst heightened tensions nationwide, as the government continues a sweeping crackdown called “Operation Devil Hunt,” targeting alleged criminal networks and groups tied to the ousted Awami League regime of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Over 8,600 people have been arrested under this initiative, with authorities vowing to maintain law and order at any cost.
Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury emphasised the government’s commitment to tackling unrest during a press conference, warning that those attempting to destabilise the country would face strict consequences.
Meanwhile, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman stressed the importance of the military’s role in maintaining stability during this transitional period, urging personnel to exercise restraint and use force only when absolutely necessary.
