Ammunition magazine found in Asif Mahmud's bag at Dhaka airport

An ammunition magazine was found in a bag belonging to Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, an adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) earlier this morning.

Upon identification, he took the magazine out of the bag and handed it over to his personal secretary, sources at the HSIA said.

Asif Mahmud was traveling to Morocco via Turkey on Turkish Airlines flight TK-713 to attend an event.

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Ammunition magazine in bag unintentional, says Asif Mahmud

According to Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) regulations, carrying an ammunition magazine in cabin baggage is prohibited, said an official of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

"The magazine was found in a small bag when it was screened. Following identification, the adviser said it had been mistakenly packed in his bag. He expressed regret and subsequently sent the magazine to his personal secretary," Group Captain SM Ragib Samad, executive director of the airport said.

Ragib said airport officials verified that the adviser has a valid gun licence.

"As such, there was no need to proceed further on this matter," he added.

Asif Mahmud then boarded the Turkish Airlines flight which departed from Dhaka for Istanbul at around 7:00am.

Asif, in a Facebook post, said there was "nothing illegal or intentional" about it explaining that he owns a licensed firearm "for personal safety due to recent security threats, including several alleged attempts on the lives of those leading the recent mass uprising".

"When there's no government security or protocol, keeping a licensed weapon is a way to ensure safety for myself and my family," he wrote.