Air base in Dhaka essential to protect capital's sky: BAF

Having an air base for fighter aircraft in Dhaka is essential to protect the capital's airspace and ensure national security, Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Air Commodore Shahidul Islam has said.

No air base for training fighter aircraft will be shifted from Dhaka, he said at a media conference at the Old PSC Building of Aviation University in the capital's Tejgaon yesterday, according to media reports.

He said a huge space is needed to conduct a fighter jet. At the same time, this air base is essential to ensure security of the capital's sky. Such bases at capital cities are common around the globe.

Air Commodore Md Mizanur Rahman, chief coordinator of the Air Force Emergency Coordination Center, at the conference said the Air Force will remain with the families of the deceased and injured in the accident. 

"Highest assistance will be provided to them, if necessary," he added.

He also announced that a Chinese expert team is expected to arrive in Dhaka soon to help investigate the recent Bangladesh Air Force plane crash into Milestone School and College in Uttara and determine its cause, reports BSS.

Mentioning that the Bangladesh Air Force participated in the rescue operation on the day of the incident, on 21 July, he said a high-level investigation committee was formed on the same day.

He said the Air Force chief had already answered many questions in a media briefing a day after the crash.

Under the guidance of the Air Force chief, the Bangladesh Air Force is carrying out various humanitarian activities with utmost importance to help the victims, Mizanur said.

In order to carry out all these activities in an orderly manner, an emergency support centre was constituted on 21 July under the leadership of an air commodore, he added.