By SM Najmus Sakib
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) – One person was killed and several others injured when Bangladesh Air Force security stopped "miscreants" from approaching an under-construction airbase in southeastern Cox's Bazar on Monday, causing serious chaos and panic among locals, according to officials.
Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin confirmed to Anadolu that one was killed and several were injured in the incident in the Samiti Para area of Cox’s Bazar. However, he said that the situation is now under control despite a panic.
Additional law enforcement officers have been deployed, he said, adding, "Further investigation will be conducted to know the exact cause of the incident and casualty."
According to Military Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Cox's Bazar airbase was attacked by some miscreants from the surrounding area, and the necessary steps are being taken to address the situation.
The incident occurred as some locals were on their way to a meeting called by the district authority to discuss the government's acquisition of land in the area, according to local media reports.
An argument erupted with the on-duty Air Force officers after they were stopped at a security checkpoint and asked one of them about not wearing a helmet, it added.
Shahab Kabir Nahid, 30, was shot and killed during an attack on the under-construction air force base on the west side of Cox's Bazar airport, Prothom Alo newspaper reported, adding that several rounds of gunfire were exchanged during this period.
Cox's Bazar Sadar Model Police Station official Ilyas Khan said the attack was reportedly centered around the interrogation of a helmetless motorcycle rider at an Air Force checkpoint.
The daily cited the victim's mother, Amena Khatun, who claimed that her son was killed in the shooting while standing near their house's door.
He was shot, and the on-duty doctor declared him dead while being rushed to the hospital.