Why fighter jet drills in crowded Dhaka? Outcry, questions grow louder 

Questions are growing louder over the location and method of military training exercises, a day after a fighter jet crashed into Uttara's Milestone School and College premises, killing at least 31 people, including children, and plunging the nation into shock.

From interim government advisers and politicians to civil society members and netizens, voices across all walks of life are demanding answers – why are fighter jet training exercises being conducted over a city as densely populated as Dhaka?

Concerns have intensified over the proximity of military flight operations to commercial and civilian areas in the capital. Many are calling for a thorough review of current military aviation protocols to prevent future tragedies.

Meanwhile, amid this growing public outcry, a writ petition was filed with the High Court today, seeking a ban on the operation of defective aircraft – including military planes – over densely populated areas like Dhaka until safety can be guaranteed.

The petition also demanded full disclosure from the Bangladesh Air Force regarding the number of defective aircraft currently in service, along with their maintenance records.

Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain urged the Ministry of Defence to reconsider the location and method of military training exercises to prevent accidents like the Milestone school tragedy.

"To prevent such accidents from happening in the future, I will tell all agencies, especially the Ministry of Defence, that there seems to be a need for a fresh look at how and where such training should be conducted," he said while speaking to reporters after visiting the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the F-7 BGI fighter aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from the Bangladesh Air Force Base Bir Uttom AK Khandker in Kurmitola on the afternoon of 21 July. The jet reportedly suffered a "technical malfunction" before it went down.

Raising concerns over the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) conducting flight training exercises in Dhaka, BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy asked, "Why was a fighter jet training exercise being conducted in a city as densely populated as Dhaka?"

Speaking at a special prayer session held at the BNP's central office in Nayapaltan, Gayeshwar noted that such exercises are typically conducted in remote areas, far from civilian zones. "So why was this training held in a residential area of Dhaka?" he questioned.

The BNP organised the prayer session to mourn the loss of schoolchildren killed in the tragic incident. Party leaders and activists observed a day of mourning by raising black flags at dawn and wearing black badges.

Gayeshwar further pressed the authorities, saying, "Naturally, people have questions in their minds. The Air Force should already have experience and protocols in place for conducting such training near civilian areas. Who will answer these questions?"

He also raised concerns about whether the aircraft was airworthy, whether it had undergone proper inspections, and whether its mechanical condition was fit for training purposes.

"These are the questions the public is now asking," he said. "It is essential that we receive clear answers."

Clarifying that he was not placing blame, Gayeshwar added, "The relevant authorities must investigate and share their findings with the public so we can ensure such a tragedy never happens again."

HC orders expert probe

Meanwhile, the High Court directed the government to form an expert committee to investigate the fighter jet crash.

The court ordered that the high-powered expert committee be formed within seven days and submit its report within 45 days, identifying the causes behind the high number of casualties.

The directive came from the High Court bench of Justice Fahmida Khatun and Justice Syed Zahid Husain, following a writ petition filed in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The court also issued a ruling asking the authorities to explain why adequate compensation should not be provided to the families of those killed or injured in the incident.

The writ petition, filed by Advocate Anisur Rahman Rayan Biswas, sought a ban on the operation of defective aircraft over densely populated areas like Dhaka until safety measures are ensured.

Senior lawyers Advocate Zainul Abedin (vice chairman of the Bar Council), Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Advocate Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajal, and Advocate Siddiq Ullah Mia represented the petitioners. Deputy Attorney General Shafiqul Rahman and Assistant Attorneys General Tanim Khan, Ikramul Kabir, and Md Isa represented the state.

The petition also called for sending injured students, teachers, and parents abroad for advanced medical treatment, Tk5 crore in compensation for each student killed, and Tk1 crore in compensation for each injured individual.

In addition, the court directed authorities to include blood group information and parents' phone numbers on students' ID cards for future emergencies.