A young man has been detained after breaching security at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, even as authorities remain on high alert over fears of militant attacks at key installations across the country.
The incident occurred at 06:21 in the morning on Tuesday, when the individual entered the airport premises through a domestic terminal gate and reached an area close to the runway. Airport authorities said he managed to get as far as the apron before being apprehended.
Group Captain Ragib Samad, the airport’s executive director, said the man had accessed a restricted zone via a domestic gate. “He reached the apron area inside the airport before being detained,” he said.
The detainee has been identified as Jannatul Ferdous, a resident of Meherpur district. He has since been sent to court.
During initial questioning, Ferdous claimed he had gone to the airport to receive an uncle. As the flight was delayed, he said he walked towards the runway area out of curiosity to watch aircraft, adding that no one stopped him at the time.
The breach comes amid a nationwide security alert. On Friday night, Police Headquarters warned that members of a banned extremist organisation could target important sites, including the parliament building. Instructions were issued to strengthen vigilance across all units.
On Monday, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq said security had been tightened at all airports in the country.
Facing questions in parliament over airport safety, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that comprehensive security measures were already in place at international airports.
He said further plans were being implemented to enhance protection.
According to the minister, these include the installation of checkpoints at entry and exit points, multi-layered policing, and preventive measures based on intelligence inputs.
Coordination between police, intelligence agencies and airport authorities is also being strengthened to improve information sharing.
Additional steps involve increased surveillance to prevent theft and robbery in airport areas, expanded use of CCTV cameras and digital technologies, and stricter screening procedures to stop prohibited items entering airport premises.
Authorities are also introducing modern equipment and systems, including advanced baggage handling, increased immigration counters, enhanced scanning machines, and the deployment and reorganisation of personnel. Specialised training is being provided to address terrorism, cyber security and emergency response, alongside the use of body-worn cameras.
