ZCZC
BSS-45
BIMAN-HIJACK-ATTEMPT
Biman escapes visible plane hijack attempt
DHAKA, Feb 24, 2019 (BSS) – Biman Bangladesh Airlines today evaded what it
primarily appeared a hijack attempt of a Dubai-bound aircraft through its
emergency landing at Chattogram Airport while the passengers and pilots came
out of the craft.
“The passengers and the two pilots came out of the aircraft, but a suspect
and two crew remained inside,” civil aviation secretary Muhibul Haque told
BSS.
He declined to elaborate immediately just saying “the situation is under
control”.
Witnesses said 15 minutes after the craft flew from Chattogram Shah Amanat
International Airport it returned and made an emergency landing and opened
the emergency exit through which the passengers disembarked immediately.
The captain and the first officer of the flight also came out.
Elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which draws personnel from
army, navy, air force and police, laid a siege around the Boeing 777-800 ER
aircraft along with armed police and fire-fighters while military commandoes
were kept prepared at the airport for a possible raid.
Officials were not available immediately for comments about the identity of
the hijackers but civil aviation sources said a lone person was likely to
have made the abortive attempt.
BSS/TA/SAS/SH/AR/1935 HRS