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Wednesday, 19 February, 2025

Dhaka Airport Bomb Threat Traced to Pakistani Number, Confirms DMP

Express Report
  23 Jan 2025, 01:59

The bomb threat that prompted a security alert involving a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight originated from a Pakistani phone number, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has revealed.

In a Facebook post, the DMP stated that a duty officer of the Airport Armed Police Battalion (APBn) received a WhatsApp message from the Pakistani number at 4:37 AM on Wednesday.

The message alleged that 34 kilograms of high-powered explosives were on board Biman’s Rome-Dhaka flight, BG-536.

The flight landed at Shahjalal International Airport at 9:20am with 250 passengers and 13 crew members onboard.

All were safely evacuated following standard security protocols.

“We got a call from an unknown telephone number saying there was a bomb on Biman’s flight from Rome. Then we followed the proper protocol and took the necessary measures,” said Group Captain Muhammed Kamrul Islam, executive director of Dhaka airport.

A statement from Biman Bangladesh Airlines confirmed that thorough inspections of the aircraft, passengers, and baggage found no dangerous materials.

“After thorough security checks, the flight was declared clear of threats at 12:30pm. All passengers completed immigration formalities and left the airport by 1:30pm,” said the airline.

The DMP said upon receiving the information, the Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime, or CTTC, Bomb Disposal Unit and Canine Unit immediately joined the search operation with the joint forces.

Earlier in the morning, Bosra Islam, general manager of Biman's Public Relations wing, said there was a “threat” on the Rome flight. “We took all necessary measures.”

“But the flight landed at 9:20am without issues. The passengers and the crew are all safe. It appears to be a hoax.”

INFORMANT ALSO SHARES PHOTO OF SUSPICIOUS LUGGAGE

At a press conference addressing the bomb threat, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan detailed the incident, stating:
"The bomb threat message was sent to the official number of the APBn control room at the airport via WhatsApp."

He further explained, "Some chats occurred with the informant on that number, but the informant did not respond to any voice calls."

When asked whether the individual was the threat maker or simply an informant, the CAAB chief clarified:
"He did not issue a threat; rather, he provided information. It’s worth noting that anyone in Bangladesh can use a Pakistani WhatsApp number."

The informant also shared a photo of a piece of luggage, claiming it resembled the type that might contain explosives.

Air Vice Marshal Monjur elaborated on the steps taken:
"After receiving the information, we activated our standard operating procedures. Since multiple flights were scheduled to land that morning, we prioritized clearing those flights first.

"When the aircraft landed, it was immediately relocated to a secure area near the third terminal to ensure uninterrupted airport operations.

"We evacuated the passengers, conducted individual screenings, and escorted them to the terminal. Each piece of luggage was x-rayed and manually inspected.

"Two bags were identified as suspicious, separated, and thoroughly examined, but no explosives were found. Additionally, we unloaded and inspected all cargo pallets from the aircraft, one by one."

He concluded, "The operation involved coordinated efforts from all relevant agencies, including the Air Force, police, RAB [Rapid Action Battalion], and Ansar. Police dogs were also deployed to assist in the search."

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Dhaka Airport Bomb Threat Traced to Pakistani Number, Confirms DMP

Express Report
  23 Jan 2025, 01:59

The bomb threat that prompted a security alert involving a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight originated from a Pakistani phone number, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has revealed.

In a Facebook post, the DMP stated that a duty officer of the Airport Armed Police Battalion (APBn) received a WhatsApp message from the Pakistani number at 4:37 AM on Wednesday.

The message alleged that 34 kilograms of high-powered explosives were on board Biman’s Rome-Dhaka flight, BG-536.

The flight landed at Shahjalal International Airport at 9:20am with 250 passengers and 13 crew members onboard.

All were safely evacuated following standard security protocols.

“We got a call from an unknown telephone number saying there was a bomb on Biman’s flight from Rome. Then we followed the proper protocol and took the necessary measures,” said Group Captain Muhammed Kamrul Islam, executive director of Dhaka airport.

A statement from Biman Bangladesh Airlines confirmed that thorough inspections of the aircraft, passengers, and baggage found no dangerous materials.

“After thorough security checks, the flight was declared clear of threats at 12:30pm. All passengers completed immigration formalities and left the airport by 1:30pm,” said the airline.

The DMP said upon receiving the information, the Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime, or CTTC, Bomb Disposal Unit and Canine Unit immediately joined the search operation with the joint forces.

Earlier in the morning, Bosra Islam, general manager of Biman's Public Relations wing, said there was a “threat” on the Rome flight. “We took all necessary measures.”

“But the flight landed at 9:20am without issues. The passengers and the crew are all safe. It appears to be a hoax.”

INFORMANT ALSO SHARES PHOTO OF SUSPICIOUS LUGGAGE

At a press conference addressing the bomb threat, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan detailed the incident, stating:
"The bomb threat message was sent to the official number of the APBn control room at the airport via WhatsApp."

He further explained, "Some chats occurred with the informant on that number, but the informant did not respond to any voice calls."

When asked whether the individual was the threat maker or simply an informant, the CAAB chief clarified:
"He did not issue a threat; rather, he provided information. It’s worth noting that anyone in Bangladesh can use a Pakistani WhatsApp number."

The informant also shared a photo of a piece of luggage, claiming it resembled the type that might contain explosives.

Air Vice Marshal Monjur elaborated on the steps taken:
"After receiving the information, we activated our standard operating procedures. Since multiple flights were scheduled to land that morning, we prioritized clearing those flights first.

"When the aircraft landed, it was immediately relocated to a secure area near the third terminal to ensure uninterrupted airport operations.

"We evacuated the passengers, conducted individual screenings, and escorted them to the terminal. Each piece of luggage was x-rayed and manually inspected.

"Two bags were identified as suspicious, separated, and thoroughly examined, but no explosives were found. Additionally, we unloaded and inspected all cargo pallets from the aircraft, one by one."

He concluded, "The operation involved coordinated efforts from all relevant agencies, including the Air Force, police, RAB [Rapid Action Battalion], and Ansar. Police dogs were also deployed to assist in the search."

Comments

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