Grenade-like objects at Rajshahi airport, minister taken out through back gate

Police have recovered two grenade-like objects from in front of the main gate of Hazrat Shah Makhdum Airport in Rajshahi. The two objects were recovered from inside the flower plants beside the gate around 11am on Tuesday (November 10). Later the main gate of the airport was closed for security reasons. The alternative mosque gate was kept open for the movement of passengers.

At the time of the incident Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku was staying in the VIP lounge of the airport. Considering the security issue he was taken out through the back gate instead of the main gate. Later he left for Bogura by road.

According to police sources, a pedestrian saw the two suspicious objects inside the flower plants on the left side of the main gate of the airport around 11am on Tuesday. He informed Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Palash who was in charge of the Romeo-81 patrol vehicle of Baya Police Outpost under Airport Police Station about the matter. Later ASI Palash informed the officer-in-charge of Airport Police Station about the matter. On receiving the information police and airport authorities quickly reached the spot and strengthened the security arrangements.

At that time the main gate of the airport was closed. The mosque gate was opened as an alternative for the movement of passengers. Panic was seen among the passengers who came to the airport over this incident. Members of the Armed Police Battalion (APBN) who were in charge of the security of the main gate also took a cautious position. Police said three armed APBN members were on duty there round the clock. However, it could not be known immediately who left the two objects there despite their presence.

It has been learnt that Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku reached Rajshahi on a flight at 10:50am. He made a stopover in Rajshahi on the way from Dhaka to Bogura. The issue of his security was also taken into consideration after the news of the recovery of the suspicious objects spread. Later police informed him about the situation.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Gaziyur Rahman said police quickly went to the spot after receiving the information that two grenade-like objects were lying beside the main gate of the airport. Necessary measures were taken in coordination with the airport authorities and the members in charge of security. The main gate was temporarily closed and arrangements for movement through the alternative route were made in the interest of the security of passengers and the general people.

He said later the two objects were defused in an open field in Pakuria area of Paba upazila with the help of members of the bomb disposal unit.

Gaziyur Rahman further said the actual identity of the two objects will be confirmed after the tests. Who left them beside the airport and for what purpose is being examined.