Confirmation on Biman hijacker’s gun being real or not still pending
Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry is yet to confirm whether the pistol used by the Biman “hijacker” was a toy or a real gun.
Mohibul Haque, Secretary, Civil Aviation, said, “We have still not been able to confirm whether the hijacker was carrying a real pistol or toy,” while briefing journalists at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, 17 hours after the “hijacking” of Biman flight at Chattogram.
Mahbub Ali, State Minister, Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry and Mohibul Haque, Secretary spoke at the press briefing.
Their comments come in light of reports surfacing that the gun used by the alleged hijacker, who was neutralised in commando action, could be a toy.
They mentioned that eight of the 148 passengers boarded the flight BG 147 through the domestic terminal of Dhaka airport last evening.
“There was no breach in security as shown in CCTV footage while checking their luggage and handbags,” the secretary added.
He further mentioned that there was no trace of a pistol in any of their luggage and handbag.
The probe body has already started looking into the matter and will submit a probe report to the government within five days.
The body will go to Chattogram today to talk to the pilot, cabin crew and passengers of the plane. The committee members will also examine the plane and then, will make the probe report.
The hijacker, now being identified as Md Palash Ahmed, allegedly tried to storm the cockpit of a Biman flight carrying a gun, forced the pilot to land in Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram where he was neutralised in a commando operation yesterday evening after all passengers deboarded the plane safely.
Md Palash Ahmed left his village home at Dudhghata in Narayanganj’s Sonargaon upazila last Friday, his father PR Jahan said.
Palash passed Dakhil examinations in 2011 from Tahirpur Dakhil Madrasa and then he got admitted to Sonargaon Degree College. But he could not complete his education.
His father said that Palash lived an undisciplined life. At one point, he left his home to settle in Dhaka and would not visit his village home often. He would only go when he needed money, his father PR Jahan added.
He came to his village home around 20-25 days back and stayed there for longer than usual. He changed a lot in the last 20-25 days and started going to the mosque and even gave the call for prayer, the father said.
