Biman pilot witnessed Iran's missiles flying towards Israel

It was 2:15am when we took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a scheduled flight to Riyadh. I was in command, with my co-pilot Rapsan Riyad beside me. The sky was calm, weather favorable. After crossing the airspace over India, Oman, and the UAE, we approached the horizon over Bahrain. Local time was nearing 5:00am.

At 40,000 feet, the view of Earth always evokes a profound sense of awe. But that sensation quickly faded—replaced by shock and fear as we witnessed something unexpected and terrifying.

Our aircraft was cruising above the Persian Gulf. To our right lay Iran; to the left and slightly behind, Bahrain. The sun had not yet risen, but a faint glow had begun to form along the eastern horizon.

Suddenly, a bright flash lit up the Iranian sky.

At first, I assumed it might be part of a routine military exercise. But within moments, we saw them—missiles. Dozens of them, maybe more, streaking westward across the sky in rapid succession.

My co-pilot was just as stunned. We immediately began reviewing our flight route. One question kept echoing in my mind:

What if even one of those missiles veered off course?

The thought alone was enough to send a chill down my spine.

A view of Iranian missiles across the sky as seen by Biman pilot Enam Talukder. Photo: Enam Talukder

As a pilot, I've encountered my fair share of high-risk situations. But nothing compared to this—flaming arrows tearing across the sky, just miles from our aircraft. We quickly altered course to maintain a safe distance and, eventually, landed safely in Riyadh.

Once on the ground, I turned on my phone—and the headlines flooded in:

"Iran launches massive missile strike on Israel."

It wasn't just a military move. It was the potential beginning of a war—one that may not remain confined to two nations. The entire region's stability could now be at stake.

That morning, I wasn't just a pilot. I became a witness to history—watching the beginning of a conflict unfold from the edge of the stratosphere.

The missiles we saw were likely long-range ballistic missiles—more than just weapons; they were a strategic message. These projectiles rise hundreds of kilometers into near-space before plunging back down on their targets. The Middle Eastern airspace is no longer just a transit corridor; it's becoming a contested and potentially dangerous zone.

Fortunately, our passengers remained unaware of the danger they had unknowingly passed through. We were able to land safely, but the question still lingers in my mind:

How safe is the sky we fly through?