Khaleda returns, airport under tight security

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has arrived in Dhaka after spending over two months in London because of medical treatments.

Khaleda Zia landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a flight of Emirates Airlines around 5:12pm, our correspondent reports from the spot.

She was greeted at the airport by hundreds of leaders and activists including party’s senior leader Moudud Ahmed, Vice Chairman Abdullah Al Noman and others.

She reached her Gulshan residence around 7:25pm with a rally of party supporters – creating a long traffic tailback on the airport road.

Meanwhile, the security outside airport premises was increased before Khaleda’s arrival. A water cannon was seen parked at the main gate. Passers-by were frisked more often.

Ahead of Khaleda’s return, the party issued a press release informing the media that they sought security from Dhaka Metropolitan Police for the BNP chairperson.

Khaleda left Heathrow airport for Bangladesh in an Emirates Airlines flight at 10:30pm (local time) on Friday. She stayed in London for over two months.

On September 16, Khaleda Zia went to London on a personal tour for her eye treatment and celebrating Eid-ul-Azha there with her family members that included her eldest son and BNP’s Senior Vice Chairman Tareque Rahman.