8 airports on high alert over militant threat

The government has placed all eight of the country’s operational airports on heightened security alert following a warning from Police Headquarters of possible militant attacks on key national installations, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) said on Monday.

Air Vice Marshal Mostafa Mahmud Siddique, chairman of CAAB, made the announcement at a press briefing, saying the enhanced security measures followed a formal alert letter from Police Headquarters issued earlier last week.

“The airports are already classified as Key Point Installations (KPI) and remain under strict security cover,” he said.

“However, after receiving that letter, security has been further strengthened. This is part of our regular operational procedure.”

The police alert, issued last Thursday, warned that members of a banned extremist organisation could be planning attacks on important state installations, including the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Bangladesh currently operates three international airports — in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet — along with five domestic airports.

Security at these facilities is provided by CAAB’s Aviation Security (AvSec) wing, alongside the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) and personnel from other law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

The increased airport security comes amid growing concerns over the overall law and order situation across the country, with reports of murder, rape, extortion, mob violence, kidnapping and armed robbery rising sharply in recent months.

The latest incident highlighting the deteriorating security situation occurred in Chittagong on Sunday night, when Mohammad Nasir Uddin, a local Jubo Dal activist, was shot dead on his way home from a market in Shamsherpara village under Kodolpur Union of Raozan.

According to family members and local residents, Nasir was returning home in near-total darkness following a power outage in the area when a group of assailants blocked his path, forced him to the ground and opened fire, shooting him several times in the chest and back.

He was rushed to hospital but was declared dead around midnight.
A witness from a neighbouring house, who requested anonymity, said the incident unfolded under the faint light of the moon.

Relatives said this was not the first attack on Nasir. In 2025, he survived a previous assault in which he was hacked by another group of attackers and spent a long period recovering at Chittagong Medical College Hospital. He had only recently returned to the village before being killed.

Such incidents are no longer isolated. News of killings, rape, extortion and other violent crimes are now being reported from nearly every part of the country on a daily basis.

Police Headquarters data reflects the scale of the worsening situation.

In March 2026 alone — the first full month after the formation of the new government — 317 murders were recorded nationwide.

Chittagong recorded the highest number among all districts, with 61 killings.

Dhaka reported 24 murders and 20 kidnappings during the same period, while the national total for kidnapping stood at 102 cases.

Violence against women and children accounted for 1,485 reported incidents, including 111 cases in the capital.

A total of 637 cases involving burglary, robbery, snatching and dacoity were also registered across the country.

Even in February — an election month during which stronger security deployment was expected — more than 250 murders were recorded nationwide, including 16 in Dhaka.

There were 64 kidnapping cases, while reported abuse of women and children reached 1,181 incidents.

Bangladesh’s worsening security environment is also reflected in international assessments.

According to the Global Organised Crime Index 2025, Bangladesh moved from 89th to 83rd position among 193 countries in terms of organised crime prevalence, indicating a worsening trend.

Hawala transactions, arms smuggling and human trafficking were all reported to have increased.

In mid-April, a broad daylight killing in Mohammadpur, Dhaka — where the head of the Alex Group was hacked to death in public — further underscored the growing boldness of criminal networks.

In Narayanganj’s Bandar area, between February and mid-April alone, authorities recorded two murders, three rapes, a major armed robbery and numerous thefts.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner Masud Alam said police were taking all possible measures to control the situation.

“We have increased patrols across the city so that criminals cannot create chaos or carry out their plans,” he said. “Round-the-clock patrols, special operations, block raids and surveillance at sensitive locations are under way.

Investigations are proceeding based on each incident and FIR, and suspects are being arrested. We are making our utmost effort.”

However, critics allege that police efforts are being undermined by political interference and institutional corruption.

According to multiple sources, extortionists and other offenders often enjoy the protection of influential political figures, leaving local police reluctant to take legal action and instead encouraging informal settlements.

Senior officers — including officers-in-charge, assistant superintendents and additional superintendents — have also been accused of benefiting from illicit proceeds to secure their own positions.

Critics say this has allowed snatching and extortion to continue unchecked, not only in the narrow lanes of Dhaka but also along the capital’s main roads.

Senior political leader Colonel (retd.) Oli Ahmed has also publicly expressed concern over the continuing deterioration of the law and order situation, reflecting growing political concern over the government’s handling of the crisis.

Last Tuesday, the government formed a core committee on law and order under the chairmanship of the Home Minister to coordinate a nationwide response.

Authorities have acknowledged that criminal activities are concentrated in certain hotspots and have pledged to intensify security operations in those areas.

Whether these measures will bring meaningful improvement remains uncertain, as public concern over personal safety continues to grow.