Probe body formed over Biman ‘hijacking’

Amid confusion over what had actually happened during Biman’s flight BG147 yesterday, Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry has formed a probe committee to investigate yesterday’s “plane hijacking” incident at Chattogram airport.

The ministry’s Additional Secretary Md Mokabbir Hossain is leading the five-member probe body, said a press release issued from the ministry.

The committee was formed under direct orders from state minister for civil aviation and tourism Md Mahbub Ali in the wee hours of today.

READ MORE: Hijack bid foiled; suspect shot dead

Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport was shut for hours during a “hijacking” which led to the suspect’s death in army operation yesterday evening.

After the incident, an official hinted that the suspect had a bomb, passengers had said he had fired shots at the cockpit door and had shot a cabin crew member, officials on the ground had said he had the crew members as hostages. Other officials had claimed that all passengers and crew were released.

State Minister for Civil Aviation Ministry Md Mahbub Ali at a TV talk-show at a private television channel said he came to know that the hijacker was carrying a “toy gun”.

Commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police Md Mahbubor Rahman said it was a “fake pistol”. Asked whether he saw it, the officer only said, “You can quote me on this. It's a fake pistol.”