ISPR says Air Force base attacked in Cox's Bazar, 1 shot dead during clashes

• 1 shot dead, 6 injured in clash between BAF and locals at Samiti Para
• ISPR says BAF base came under "sudden attack" by some unidentified people
• Locals allege clash stemmed from BAF attempts to acquire land and relocate residents from Samiti Para
• Shihab Kabir Nahid died after getting shot in the head
• Family says Shihab was standing at the door of their house
• Clash occurred before meeting between BAF, Samiti Para residents at DC Office 
• Situation now normal, police present at scene
• Necessary measures will be taken, says Cox's Bazar DC

One person has been shot dead and at least six others injured in a clash between members of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and locals in Cox's Bazar, according to police and local officials.

However, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), BAF Base Cox's Bazar came under "sudden attack" by some unidentified people from the adjacent Samiti Para area today (24 February).

In response, BAF is taking necessary measures to address the situation, read a press release signed by ISPR Assistant Director Ayesha Siddiqua.

Meanwhile, locals alleged that the clash stemmed from altercations over reported attempts by BAF to acquire land and relocate residents of Samiti Para, under Cox's Bazar municipality, for the expansion of the Cox's Bazar airport and the BAF base.

Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Salahuddin confirmed that a clash between locals and BAF personnel took place at noon. "One person has been killed and several others injured in the incident," he told The Business Standard.

"The cause of the clash will be investigated through discussions with both parties, and necessary measures will be taken," he said in immediate reaction.

Saiful Islam, in charge of Cox's Bazar District Sadar Hospital police box, identified the deceased as local trader Shihab Kabir Nahid, 30, son of Nasir Uddin from Samiti Para of Ward 1.

Local trader Shihab Kabir Nahid, killed in the clash. Photo: Collected

He also said six people injured in the incident are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. Their identities could not be confirmed immediately.

The casualties occurred when security forces opened fire, according to locals.

How the clash started

Talking to TBS, Mujahidul Islam, a resident of Samiti Para, said a pre-scheduled meeting was set to take place at the DC Office at noon between BAF officials and local representatives regarding the relocation of residents for airport expansion.

He said local resident Md Jahid Hossain and a few others were heading to the DC Office on an easy bike and a motorcycle at around 12pm. Their vehicles were stopped when they reached the Air Force checkpoint near the Diabetic Point area. 

At that time, a dispute arose between Jahid and the on-duty BAF personnel over wearing a helmet. Later, when they tried to drag him away, locals gathered at the scene upon hearing the news of the altercation. The clash broke out when the locals tried to prevent them from taking Jahid away, said Mujahidul.

He alleged that at that time, locals threw bricks and stones at the under-construction BAF base and its personnel. During the chase-counter-chase that lasted for about half an hour, several rounds of gunfire were heard.

He said Shihab sustained a gunshot wound at the time, which led to his death.

Locals rescued Shihab and several injured people and took them to the hospital's emergency department, where the on-duty doctor declared Shihab dead.

A little before 4pm, Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Ilias Khan told TBS the situation was now normal and around 50-60 police personnel were present at the scene to keep the situation under control.

He said they also learned that the attack and clash occurred following an incident at the Air Force checkpoint where a motorcyclist was questioned for not wearing a helmet.

How Shihab died

Amena Khatun, mother of deceased Shihab, claimed that her son died after he got shot in the head after gunfire started during the clash.

At one point of the clash, when locals were throwing brickbats at BAF personnel, Shihab was standing at the door of their Samiti Para house, she told reporters. "Suddenly, a bullet struck his head. The impact caused his skull to shatter, exposing his brain."

He was rushed to the hospital, where the doctors declared him dead, said Amena.

Sadar Hospital's Residential Medical Officer Dr Saboktogin Mahmud said that Shihab was declared dead within minutes of being brought to the hospital in the afternoon.

"Whatever it was, the impact blew off the back part of his skull. It is not yet confirmed whether the injury was caused by a bullet or a blow from brickbats. The body has been kept in the morgue for an autopsy," said the doctor.

Samiti Para and the BAF base

The Cox's Bazar Airport area and 19 villages and neighbourhoods, including Samiti Para, are under the Ward No. 1 of Cox's Bazar Municipality. About 90% of the 70,000 residents are climate refugees.

After losing their homes to the devastating cyclone and tidal surge in April 1991, people from Kutubdia, Pekua, Moheshkhali, and other areas took shelter on government-owned land under Ward No. 1.

For the past few years, an Air Force base has been under construction in some parts of the area. To relocate the displaced residents, a special housing project consisting of 137 five-story buildings has been established three kilometres away in Khurushkul.

Two years ago, 600 families were accommodated in 20 of these buildings, and now another 85 buildings have been prepared.

However, on the morning of 7 January this year, thousands of residents of Ward No. 1 had blockaded the main road of Cox's Bazar town, demanding an end to the evictions and relocations.