Sheikh Hasina's Secret Flight: Inside Ex-Bangladesh PM's Midnight Escape To India
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Citing civil and military aviation sources, the newspaper reported that the change in flight path was a deliberate decision intended to avoid attention.
A recent report published by The Daily Star, a Bangladeshi newspaper, shed light on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's departure from Dhaka on August 5, 2024. The report claimed that a Bangladesh Air Force aircraft carrying Sheikh Hasina was initially scheduled to land in Kolkata but was redirected mid-flight to the Hindon Air Force Station near Delhi.
Military 'Training' Flight Used
Citing civil and military aviation sources, the newspaper reported that the change in flight path was a deliberate decision intended to avoid attention amid escalating unrest in Bangladesh. The flight, designated as a military 'training flight," took off from the Bangabandhu Air Force Base in Dhaka shortly after 3 p.m. local time.
First Destination Choice For Sheikh Hasina Was Kolkata
Although a flight plan had been filed for Kolkata and shared with Indian authorities- including a transponder squawk code of 4131- the aircraft turned off its transponders after takeoff. This effectively removed the flight from civilian radar systems while maintaining communication with ground control for safety. The transponders were reactivated near the Bangladesh-India border, at which point Dhaka air traffic control handed the flight over to its counterpart in Kolkata, following standard airspace transition procedures.
The Flight Landed In Delhi Then
The aircraft appeared to be on course for Kolkata until shortly before crossing into Indian airspace when it changed direction toward Delhi. This route was likely selected to minimize time on the ground in Bangladesh during a volatile period, the report claimed. Indian authorities had granted overflight and landing permission in advance, in response to a request from the Bangladesh side. The aircraft eventually landed at the Hindon Air Force base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
Who Were On Board Sheikh Hasina's Flight?
Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and close aides were on board as the situation in Dhaka had deteriorated significantly with widespread violence and reports of attacks on police stations and members of the then-ruling Awami League.
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First Published:
June 03, 2025, 15:32 IST
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