Cox's Bazar: The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has denied allegations of firing gunshots at local residents in Cox's Bazar, clarifying that only blank shots were fired to protect a key-point installation from an attack by miscreants. The Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) directorate of the Defence Ministry issued a statement today to address the incident.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the ISPR statement emphasized that blank shots were used by air force personnel in accordance with their Rules of Engagement, and no live ammunition was fired at the local population. The statement also refuted claims circulating on social media that a youth was shot dead by the air force, labeling these assertions as false and damaging to the air force's reputation.
The statement explained that the cartridge alleged to have been responsible for the youth's death was a blank cartridge, which is non-lethal and only produces sound. The BAF expressed deep condolences over the youth's death and extended sympathy to his family.
The ISPR detailed the sequence of events leading up to the incident, reporting that local miscreants from the Samitipara area attacked the air force base in Cox's Bazar. The conflict arose when air force personnel detained a motorbike rider lacking valid vehicle documentation for interrogation. Subsequently, over 200 locals approached the installation, leading to a clash with air force personnel.
The statement described how the miscreants, allegedly influenced by malicious entities, threw bricks at air force personnel, injuring several, including one officer and three airmen who are currently receiving medical treatment. The critically injured youth, Shihab Kabir Nahid, was transported to a local hospital by BAF transport, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Additionally, the ISPR noted misinformation circulating in online news portals and social media, which inaccurately referred to the BAF installation as BAF Base Sheikh Hasina. The installation was officially renamed as BAF Base Cox's Bazar on December 2, 2021, under a government directive.