A group of residents in southern Bangladesh on Monday attacked an air force base following an altercation, prompting soldiers to open fire that killed at least one and wounded several others, local media reported.
The military in a statement blamed “miscreants” for attacking the base in Cox’s Bazar.The country’s largest English-language Daily Star newspaper reported one dead.The violence broke out after soldiers challenged a man on a motorbike for not wearing his helmet, according to the Bengali-language Prothom Alo newspaper.
The military in a later statement said a local had been brought inside the base for questioning as he did not have the necessary documents for his motorcycle.
It said about 200 people from nearby Samitipara advanced on the base while personnel blocked their path, and a clash ensued, with stones thrown.
A 30-year-old local trader, Shihab Kabir, was shot dead as armed assailants launched an attack on the Bangladesh Air Force base in Cox’s Bazar on Monday, officials confirmed.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a group of criminals from Samity Para, a locality near the base, carried out the assault. The Bangladesh Air Force has stated that necessary actions are being taken in response to the incident.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attack was launched by individuals from Samity Para, an area adjacent to the air force base.
The incident occurred hours after a land dispute which broke out earlier in the day led to a confrontation between the Air Force personnel and residents, reported Dhaka Tribune.
The dispute escalated into violence, with stones thrown from both sides, resulting in injuries.
While authorities have not confirmed the exact number of casualties, medical sources report Kabir was declared dead on arrival at Cox’s Bazar District Sadar Hospital, having sustained gunshot wounds, including a severe injury to the back of his head.