Bomb threat forces search of Nepal bound Biman Bangladesh flight

A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, bound for Kathmandu, was halted moments before takeoff at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Friday following an anonymous bomb threat.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, carrying 142 passengers and 7 crew, was taxiing on the runway when the airport authorities received a call at 4:26 pm warning of a possible bomb onboard, said airport Executive Director Group Captain SM Ragib Samad.

In response, emergency protocols were swiftly activated. “Air Force and AVSEC units established a security perimeter around the plane. The Bangladesh Air Force bomb disposal team and APBn’s dog squad quickly arrived at the scene,” he said. Later, a bomb disposal unit from the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) also joined the search, thoroughly inspecting the cabin and luggage compartments.

Dr. Shafiqul Rahman, CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, confirmed that following the anonymous call, the flight’s departure was immediately canceled for security checks. “No explosives were found. The passengers are safe, and the flight will depart for its destination shortly,” he said.

The incident caused brief concern but was resolved without harm. Airport operations returned to normal soon afterward.