A Biman Bangladesh Airlines was hijacked by a 26-year old male passenger during the first leg of a flight from Dhaka, Bangladesh, to Chittagong and Dubai yesterday. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, departed from Dhaka-Shahjalal International Airport (DAC/VGHS), Bangladesh at 11:13 UTC (17:13 local time) bound for Chittagong-Shah Amanat International Airport (CGP/VGEG) also in Bangladesh . Some 15 minutes after takeoff the hijacker brandished a toy gun and walked up to the cockpit door. He requested to talk to the Prime Minister. At 11:39 UTC (17:39 local) the aircraft landed on runway 11 at Chittagong airport. The aircraft stopped on the main apron and an evacuation was carried out. Police and commandos then stormed the aircraft shooting the suspect and he later died of his wounds.
134 passengers and 14 crew were released unharmed after an operation that lasted barely 10 minutes.
Airport manager Wing Commander Sarwar-e-Jaman said the hijacker was "psychologically imbalanced". "The reason he gave for the hijack was that he had troubles with his wife and he wanted to talk to the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina," Sarwar told AFP. The man — named only as Mahadi — reportedly wielded a gun in the cabin and tried to storm the cockpit, forcing an emergency landing. Amid multiple investigations, authorities are focussing on how he managed to smuggle even a fake gun past security at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. "An inquiry is underway," the civil aviation chief said.
"It is virtually impossible to breach this security as the system is designed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation," he added. Hasan said Bangladesh security was in line with global standards and the country's airports were regularly checked by top international firms.
Aircraft Details
Airline: Biman Bangladesh Airlines
Code: BG / BBC
Aircraft: Boeing 737-8E9 (WL)
Registration: S2-AHV
Serial Number: 40335
Engines: 2 CFMI CFM56-7BE
First Flew: 11/12/2015
Age: 3 Yrs 2 Mths
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