In a disturbing incident that has raised serious questions about airport security and political privilege, a senior Bangladeshi government adviser was allowed to board an international flight despite the discovery of an AK-47 rifle magazine in his carry-on baggage. The event has triggered widespread concern over internal security and possible links to past unrest.

The incident occurred early Sunday morning at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, where Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan—an adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives and a diplomatic passport holder (No. D00018185)—was preparing to fly to Marrakesh, Morocco. He was en route to attend an Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) meeting.
While passing through security at the ninth boarding bridge checkpoint, Bhuiyan’s carry-on luggage triggered an alert during X-ray scanning. A metallic object, later identified as a magazine for an AK-47 assault rifle, was found in his bag.

No detention, no interrogation—Bhuiyan boarded flight

Despite the serious nature of the security breach, Bhuiyan was permitted to board Turkish Airlines Flight TK-713, which departed Dhaka at 7:08 am. He was accompanied by three associates and is believed to have transited via Istanbul before heading to Marrakesh.

Security sources in Bangladesh confirmed that after the magazine was discovered, Bhuiyan explained he had “forgotten to remove it” from his bag. Surprisingly, this explanation was accepted, and no formal questioning or detention followed.

Even more troubling, Bhuiyan’s personal secretary, Mohammad Abul Hassan, a Joint Secretary-ranked official, was allowed to leave the airport with the ammunition. According to an Bangladesh intelligence official, “No record was made, no FIR filed, and no one was detained. This sets a dangerous precedent.”

Sources also indicated that Bhuiyan’s bag may have bypassed the initial security screening when he entered the terminal through the VIP lounge.
The incident has drawn criticism from national security experts. A former chief of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) stated that the matter “cannot be brushed off as a mere lapse.” He added, “This calls for a full investigation into the chain of command—within both airport security and national intelligence—regarding acts of omission and commission.”

Suspected links to 2024 uprising and hidden arms caches

Security officials are now probing possible links between Bhuiyan and the violent anti-government student uprisings that rocked Bangladesh in July–August 2024. Bhuiyan, along with several former student leaders, is suspected of maintaining access to hidden weapons caches from that time.

“There is credible concern that individuals formerly leading those protests may still be in possession of high-powered firearms,” an intelligence source said, adding, “We must investigate how they obtained them and whether they continue to pose a threat.”

As of now, there has been no official response from Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus or Home Ministry Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. The silence from senior officials has only added to public unease.
With internal security mechanisms under growing scrutiny, the incident has sparked calls for accountability and transparency from civil society, opposition figures, and former intelligence personnel alike.

The discovery of an AK-47 magazine in the baggage of a government official—who faced no legal consequences—has become more than just a lapse in protocol. It has become a symbol of the potential erosion of national security oversight at the highest levels. Investigations are now expected to determine whether this was a one-off failure or a glimpse into a deeper, more dangerous pattern.