Why conduct flight training over the capital?

The crash of a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI advanced training aircraft has, according to the latest reports, claimed the lives of 22 people and injured at least 150 more. The majority of the victims were students, many of whom remain in critical condition. The aircraft, which has a range of 1,750 kilometers, was inducted into the Bangladesh Air Force in 2013. It took off at 1:06 PM, and just nine minutes later, it crashed over Milestone School and College in the Diabari area of Uttara, setting parts of the school on fire. The children’s screams filled the air, creating a terrifying and chaotic scene.

The aircraft was being piloted by trainee pilot Toukir. Soon after the crash, eight units of the Bangladesh Fire Service rushed to the site to extinguish the blaze. Never before has Bangladesh witnessed such a tragic military aviation accident. Pilot Toukir could have ejected using his parachute, but instead, he attempted to divert the aircraft toward an uninhabited area. It was during this effort that the plane ultimately crashed. Toukir was killed in the incident. What could be more heroic than sacrificing one's life to save others? Bravery is not only proven on the battlefield; it also manifests in peacetime, in acts of selfless courage to protect human life. I offer my heartfelt respect to this brave soul. Words fail when it comes to consoling Toukir’s grieving parents.

The nation will forever remember Toukir for his sacrifice — that is the only consolation left for his family. At this moment, I also recall another Air Force martyr, Waseem Jawwad, who died in a crash in Chattogram. Realizing that his aircraft was going down, he made no attempt to save himself. Instead, he tried to divert the plane away from a village, ultimately sacrificing his own life to save hundreds. We salute such heroes. The devotion with which members of the Bangladesh Air Force serve and sacrifice their lives to protect the people is truly commendable.

When the training aircraft crashed into Milestone School in Diabari, classes were still in session. School was just 10 minutes away from dismissal. Had the incident happened a few minutes later, the children would already have left. Parents had already begun to gather to pick up their children. But instead of taking their children home, they carried their lifeless bodies wrapped in coffins. No one could have predicted what tragedy would unfold in those final minutes.

Bangladeshis have always stood by one another in times of crisis — this incident reaffirmed that. People rushed from all directions to take the injured to hospitals. Some even donated blood to help save lives. Social media platforms overflowed with expressions of sympathy for the victims and their families. A formal investigation committee has been formed to determine the cause of the accident. However, some groups are already attempting to divert the narrative.

Questions are being raised: Does Bangladesh lack sufficient land area for flight training? Why must training flights be conducted over a densely populated capital? Observing the mindset of those asking such questions evokes pity. At a time when the nation is grieving, raising such irrelevant and insensitive questions reveals a distorted mentality. An accident is, by nature, unpredictable. Those seeking praise today for asking these questions should have raised such concerns much earlier if they were genuinely concerned.

All accidents are tragic, but the grief from this horrific crash is beyond words. Still, what stands out is the unity and compassion shown by ordinary people — something that cannot be overlooked. People came forward selflessly, offering everything they had. This spirit of service is what we call “social capital,” and the people of Bangladesh continue to uphold it. This is perhaps our greatest strength — our ability to stand united in times of crisis. Time and again, our citizens have proven their commitment to the country and to one another. Unfortunately, the political structure in Bangladesh does not encourage national unity. Our politicians appear more invested in dividing people for their own gains rather than uniting them for the nation’s progress.

A united nation can challenge corruption and injustice — and that is what political leaders fear the most. Hence, they keep the public divided on various issues to protect their narrow interests.

Bangladesh gained independence through unwavering unity. Responding to the call of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the people of this land came together in 1971. A united Bengali nation can be a threat to any autocratic force. In 1905, the British divided Bengal, citing administrative convenience — that it was too large a province for a single Viceroy to manage in his five-year tenure. But the real reason, as found in several British confidential reports, was political. The British feared the political awareness of the Bengali people — more advanced than that of other Indian regions. While others were still contemplating, Bengalis were already acting. The British feared that one day a Bengali might even occupy the Viceroy’s seat in Delhi. Thus, they adopted the “Divide and Rule” policy. The partition of Bengal was not born out of love, but out of fear.

Today, Bangladeshi politicians continue to follow that same British strategy of division. As a result, people in Bangladesh rarely find consensus on national issues. Yet sometimes, tragedies strike that momentarily unite the nation. The crash at Milestone School is one such incident. Those questioning why a training flight was conducted over the capital clearly have ulterior motives. If they truly understood the risks, why did they remain silent until now? Their silence implies complicity. Raising provocative questions during national mourning to gain popularity is inexcusable. Such individuals should be held accountable.

The government should ensure financial compensation for the families of those killed or injured in this crash. While no amount can ever make up for the loss, it may offer some support. Only a mother who has lost her child can truly feel the pain of such a loss. All deaths are painful, but an accident like this brings unimaginable grief. This was pilot Toukir’s first solo flight after completing his training. Though he could not return alive, the way he tried to save the lives of the students will be remembered in history. The caretaker government has declared July 22 as a national day of mourning. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and the injured. Let us all hope and pray that such a heartbreaking tragedy never happens again.

M A Khaleque is a retired General Manager of Bangladesh Development Bank PLC and a writer on economic affairs.