Khaleda Zia’s London JourneySecurity measures beefed up at Dhaka Airport: CAAB

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has ensured stringent security measures to prevent gatherings or potential security threats in and around Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport ahead of Khaleda Zia’s scheduled departure for advanced treatment in London on Tuesday.

Alongside the presence of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn), a specialised combat unit of the Bangladesh Police, members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Detective Branch of Police (DB) and SWAT have been deployed at all strategic points at the airport to make the mission successful.

While talking to newsmen, CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan, said that leaders and activists are expected to gather at the airport to see off Khaleda Zia as she will depart the airport at 10 pm on Tuesday for advanced treatment in London.

“We have beefed up the security measures so that the mass gathering cannot create hindrances on the way to her (Khaleda Zia) journey. All preparations have been completed and I have personally inspected several locations,” he said.

The law enforcers will also work relentlessly so that the regular passengers are not inconvenienced in any way during the possible rush at the airport, said the CAAB chairman.

Three levels of security measures have been ensured in and outside of the airport to avoid any untoward incident during Khaleda Zia’s departure, said an official of the airport.

Additional security forces have been deployed at the airport since Tuesday morning and the entire airport area will be brought under a security blanket, said Mohammad Sihab Kaiser Khan, commander of the APBn.

Apart from the additional forces, a quick response team and dog squared will also be deployed in the airport area, he said.