On February 24, 2025, a violent attack on a Bangladesh Air Force base in Cox’s Bazar resulted in the death of one person and several injuries. The assault occurred when a routine traffic stop spiraled into an all-out confrontation between local residents and military personnel.
The incident began when military officials stopped a man, later identified as Shihab Kabir, for not wearing a helmet. Kabir was escorted into the base for questioning. Soon after, a large group of residents from the nearby Samitipara area converged near the base. Their initial peaceful protests quickly turned violent, with many throwing stones and other projectiles at the soldiers stationed at the base.
The military responded by firing warning shots to disperse the crowd, but this only further inflamed tensions. In the chaos that ensued, Kabir was shot and later died from his injuries. A number of others, including several civilians and military personnel, sustained injuries, although the exact number remains unclear. The Bangladesh military has since labeled the incident as a “violent and unprovoked attack” on its base.
The ISPR’s statement emphasized that the military had acted in accordance with the law, but also noted that further investigations would be carried out to identify those responsible for inciting the violence. Authorities have called for calm in the region and increased security measures to prevent further disturbances.