ISPR refutes misinformation, clarifies Cox's Bazar BAF base attack
The ISPR says no live ammunition was used against civilians
Highlights:
- Misinformation spreading on social media, falsely claiming one individual was killed by Air Force gunfire, ISPR says
- Some online news portals, social media posts misrepresenting name of the Air Force base as Sheikh Hasina Air Force Base, it says
- Air Force personnel followed the Rules of Engagement and fired blank rounds to disperse crowd, it says
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has issued a statement to address what it said false and misleading news regarding the attack on Air Force base in Cox's Bazar today (24 February).
In a statement this afternoon, the ISPR said, "Certain groups are spreading misinformation on social media, falsely claiming that the deceased individual in the incident was killed by Air Force gunfire. However, an inspection of the bullet casings shows they were blank cartridges, which are non-lethal and produce only sound."
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It also said, "Some online news portals and social media posts are deliberately misrepresenting the name of the Air Force base as Sheikh Hasina Air Force Base, which is incorrect. As per the official government gazette issued on 2 December 2021, the base was renamed Air Force Base Cox's Bazar, and this name remains valid."
The ISPR said a group of local miscreants from the Samiti Para area launched an unexpected attack on the Air Force base today.
"The incident originated when a local individual was stopped at the Air Force checkpoint near Biam School due to the absence of proper motorcycle documents. The Air Force Provost took him inside the base for further inquiry," reads the ISPR statement.
"Following this, a group of over 200 locals from Samiti Para advanced toward the base. When Air Force personnel tried to prevent them from entering, the number of locals increased, leading to a confrontation between the Air Force members and a group of miscreants. Some instigators encouraged the attackers to hurl stones and bricks at Air Force personnel, resulting in injuries.
"Among the injured were four Air Force members [one officer and three airmen]. Additionally, a young man named Shihab Kabir Nahid was critically injured and was transported to a local hospital by an Air Force vehicle, where he later succumbed to his injuries," adds the statement.
The ISPR said no live ammunition was used against the civilians.
"To protect this critical national installation, Air Force personnel followed the Rules of Engagement and fired blank rounds to disperse the crowd.
"The injured Air Force members are currently receiving medical treatment. The attack also led to damage to Air Force vehicles, including broken windshields. Some locals attempted to set fire to nearby bushes, but it was successfully contained," the ISPR said.
