Authorities in India’s New Delhi found 31 rounds of live ammunition in the bag of Ashiyan Group Chairman Md Nazrul Islam Bhuiyan, after he flew there from Dhaka with his son and daughter about a month ago.
Shahjalal International Airport authorities have since carried out a preliminary probe into the incident, uncovering evidence of rule violations and negligence by staff of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and the airport.
Such incidents call into question the international airport's overall security apparatus, the probe report said.
No action has been taken against the staff involved so far.
SM Ragib Samad, executive director of Dhaka airport, said: "We're treating this matter with the utmost seriousness. The inquiry has recommended action against those found negligent in their duties, and those involved in the failure to follow proper protocol and conduct security screening."
The preliminary probe report into the Jul 16 incident details how two Biman Bangladesh Airlines staff members brought Nazrul and his children into the airport from outside through “illegal protocol”.
Later, while their bags were being screened before boarding, the officer on duty was seen exchanging pleasantries and shaking hands with the businessman instead of watching the monitor, the report said.
According to the account, Nazrul, his son Aridin Bhuiyan and daughter Nusrat Zubaira entered the airport at 12:40pm to board Biman’s flight BG-397 to Delhi.
They proceeded to line D for check-in. After completing check-in and immigration formalities, they went to boarding bridge C-01 for final security screening.
Their flight departed at 1:45pm after the screening was completed.
"After they reached Delhi airport, scanning their bags revealed what appeared to be nearly 31 rounds of live ammunition. Once the ammunition in the bag was confirmed, Delhi airport authorities informed Shahjalal International Airport," the report read.�"bdnews24