In a coordinated effort, India took swift measures to safeguard former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following her resignation amid political chaos. Stringent security protocols were activated, involving the Indian Air Force and senior officials. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval greeted her upon arrival in India, where an interim government was subsequently announced in Bangladesh.
NEW DELHI: As political unrest gripped Bangladesh, India moved decisively to ensure the safety of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her departure. The Indian Air Force and security agencies were on high alert as Hasina’s flight approached Indian airspace.
Around 3 pm, Indian Air Force radars identified a low-flying aircraft nearing the Indian border from Bangladesh. Aware of the high-profile passenger onboard, air defense personnel allowed the aircraft entry into Indian airspace. To ensure its security, two Rafale fighter jets from the 101 squadron at Hashimara air base in West Bengal were deployed over Bihar and Jharkhand.
The aircraft’s journey was closely monitored, with continuous communication maintained between the plane and top Indian security officials. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and General Upendra Dwivedi, chiefs of the Indian Air Force and Army respectively, supervised the situation.
A high-level meeting was convened with intelligence agency chiefs, General Dwivedi, and Lieutenant General Johnson Philip Mathew, the Integrated Defence Staff chief. Upon landing at Hindan air base around 5:45 pm, Hasina was received by NSA Ajit Doval.
During an hour-long meeting, they discussed the situation in Bangladesh and her future plans. Doval later briefed the Cabinet Committee of Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had been updated throughout the day.
The turmoil in Bangladesh escalated on Monday after Hasina’s resignation, which followed violent protests demanding her removal. The protests had evolved from employment quota demonstrations into a full-scale movement against her.
As news of Hasina’s departure spread, unrest ensued, with some protestors vandalizing the statue of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In a national address, army chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced the formation of an interim government and his meetings with various political parties, assuming full responsibility for the nation.
