Nothing to hide about plane crash: Air Force Chief

Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan urged the public not to be misled by rumors and misinformation circulating on social media about the recent plane crash. “The chaos and confusion at the crash site are regrettable,” he said. “There is nothing to hide — we are all citizens of this country.”

He made these remarks on Tuesday (July 22) during a press briefing at the Bir Uttam AK Khandakar Air Base in Kurmitola, following the funeral of Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam, who died in the crash.

The Air Force Chief said, “The Air Force is a key pillar in protecting the country's independence and sovereignty. Please don’t spread rumors that weaken trust in this institution. As soon as information becomes available, it is being shared with the public through ISPR.”

He further said, “We never compromise on aircraft maintenance. Every fighter jet has a defined operational lifespan. Just because an aircraft is one or two decades old doesn’t mean it’s no longer fit for use. It all depends on the quality of maintenance. Our maintenance system is always of the highest standard, and we regularly repair and test aircraft parts. The technology might be old, but the aircraft are not.”

Regarding the crash, he said, “A high-level investigation committee has been formed. The real cause will be revealed through the investigation, and if any negligence is found, proper action will be taken.”

He also shared that pilot Towkir Islam sacrificed his life trying to make sure the plane didn’t crash in a densely populated area. “He did everything he could to land the aircraft in an empty area. He gave his life for the country,” the Air Force Chief said.