In the aftermath of the ouster of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, Indian security agencies were on high alert as she made her way to India for safety aboard an Air Force jet. Indian Air Force radars actively monitored the airspace over Bangladesh and detected a low-level flying aircraft around 3 PM heading towards India, sources told ANI.
The aircraft was granted permission to enter Indian airspace, as air defence personnel were aware of the passengers onboard. To ensure the plane’s security, two Rafale fighter jets from the 101 Squadron at Hashimara air base in West Bengal were deployed and flew over Bihar and Jharkhand, according to the sources.
The aircraft’s flight path was closely monitored, with constant communication maintained between the plane and top Indian security officials on the ground. The situation was closely overseen by the Indian Air Force and Army chiefs, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and General Upendra Dwivedi, the sources added.
A high-level meeting involving top security officials, including intelligence agency chiefs, General Dwivedi, and Integrated Defence Staff Chief Lieutenant General Johnson Philip Mathew, was convened to assess the situation.
When Hasina’s jet landed at Hindan air base around 5:45 PM, she was greeted by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Doval held an hour-long meeting with Hasina, discussing the current situation in Bangladesh and her future course of action. Following the meeting, Doval briefed a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Prime Minister was kept informed about the developments throughout the day, ensuring that India remained prepared for any contingency related to Hasina’s arrival.
