Air base at Kurmitola essential; crashed jet not outdated: Air Force chief

Air Force Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan on Tuesday said the fighter jet that crashed on Milestone School and College at Uttara campus was not outdated, as he attempted to dispel criticisms against the military over the deadly incident.

Furthermore, the air base at Kurmitola in the capital is essential for ensuring security in the capital, despite the risks posed to the heavily populated surrounding areas, he said, when addressing reporters at the base on Tuesday.

"Accidents like this are very difficult to control, especially in a densely populated country like ours," Hasan Mahmood Khan remarked after attending the funeral prayer of the killed pilot.

A high-level committee has been formed to probe the crash and appropriate actions will be taken if any fault is found, the air force chief noted. Until then, he urged people to have patience and avoid misinformation online.

“Many people don’t know about aviation, and thus are spreading misinformation,” he claimed.

The air force chief admitted that the crashed China-made fighter jet was technologically backdated, but noted it was within its expiry limit.

The air force is working to procure advanced fighter jets, but accidents can happen to any aircraft. When it comes to accidents, maintenance is the most important thing to ensure, he said, suggesting an aircraft’s operational period, or its technological prowess are not issues for concern.

To this end, the Bangladesh Air Force ensures adequate maintenance for its aircrafts, Hasan Mahmood Khan asserted.

Regarding the location of Airbase Bir Uttam AK Khandker in Kurmitola, he said there was no residential establishment in the vicinity back in 1985. But, now there is massive human habitation in Uttara, he said.

Still, the base must be kept at Kurmitola to protect the sensitive establishments in the capital and ensure sovereignty, the air force chief said. He urged people to help preserve the sovereignty by avoiding rumours and misinformation.