On July 16, a bag containing 31 rounds of live ammunition passed through multiple layers of security at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) and travelled by air to Delhi, but the ammunition was not detected during two rounds of security screening in Dhaka. The incident came to light only after the ammunition was detected at Delhi airport.

Two committees were formed to investigate how the ammunition passed through the airport undetected. Airport authorities formed one committee, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) headquarters formed the other. The investigation committee found negligence on the part of two screeners in allowing the bag containing the ammunition to pass through the airport’s security checkpoint.

The airport authority’s investigation committee submitted a written recommendation to the CAAB headquarters to take disciplinary action against the two screening operators. The incident has raised questions over the effectiveness of security measures at the airport.

The incident comes shortly before a security audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Universal Security Audit Programme — Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA) audit is scheduled to take place in Bangladesh from October 26 to November 6, examining the aviation security management and implementation framework at the CAAB headquarters, HSIA and Osmani International Airport.

CAAB claims that its preparations for the audit are almost complete. CAAB Member (Security) Air Commodore Md Asif Iqbal told Bonik Barta, “Around 97 percent of the preparations for the audit have been completed. A three-phase pre-audit process is underway to identify and address our shortcomings. Internal audits have already been completed at HSIA, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and US-Bangla Airlines. An audit is also underway at Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport. The minor shortcomings or ‘grey areas’ identified in these internal audits are being addressed before the audit.”

He expressed optimism that CAAB’s score would improve to 75 percent in the upcoming audit.

Regarding the incident on July 16 in which the ammunition was not detected during screening, he said, “Such unwanted incidents occasionally occur even at major airports around the world.” In his view, the incident involved only ammunition and did not create any major security risk.

He said the specific incident would not have any significant negative impact on the international audit. But he said it was natural for the incident to prompt discussions about airport security measures.

He claimed that overall security oversight at the airport had been kept strict.

Security experts, however, believe the issue goes beyond an isolated incident. Aviation expert and former Bangladesh Air Force Wing Commander ATM Nazrul Islam said, “In an ICAO audit, actual implementation on the ground is more important than protocols that exist only on paper. Incidents involving weapons or ammunition passing through security, as well as irregularities by airport personnel, can pose major security risks.”

According to the aviation expert, ICAO will examine the country’s overall aviation security oversight and implementation system rather than focusing on a single airport.

Nazrul Islam believes there is a lack of effective coordination among the agencies responsible for airport security. “It’s not enough to formulate security policies at the airport; the real test is ensuring their proper implementation on the ground,” he said.

He stressed the need for CAAB to strengthen oversight, ensure regular maintenance of scanners and separate the roles of the regulatory body and airport operating authorities.

Meanwhile, KM Mozibul Hoque, chairman of Total Air Services Ltd (TAS Group), the general sales agent for AirAsia and Kuwait Airways, stressed that there should be no compromise on airport security. He told Bonik Barta, “There must be ‘zero tolerance’ when it comes to security. The modern security equipment being installed at the third terminal should gradually be matched by equipment and security systems of the same standard at the older terminals. The relevant personnel must also be given proper training.”

He added: “If we want to increase direct connectivity with Europe and the United States, airport security standards need to be improved further. This can’t be achieved by any single organisation. All relevant parties, including airlines, CAAB and the Air Force, need to work together in a coordinated manner. Personnel must be trained according to specific standard operating procedures (SOPs), and compliance with those procedures must be ensured in practice.”

He said, “A single mistake in security can create a major problem. So it’s essential to treat the issue as a national priority, prioritise international compliance and ensure the availability of the necessary equipment and skilled personnel.”

The upcoming ICAO security audit isn’t directly linked to achieving the United States’ aviation “Category 1” status. The ICAO audit will primarily examine whether security protocols and screening measures are being properly followed for the transportation of passengers, cargo and mail on international routes. The safety audit related to achieving US Category 1 status is scheduled to take place next year.

Bangladesh has, however, achieved a positive result ahead of the ICAO audit. In the latest security audit conducted by the UK Department for Transport (DfT), HSIA scored 94 percent and Osmani International Airport 98 percent. In the 2025 assessment, the two airports scored 93 percent and 94 percent, respectively, meaning HSIA’s score increased by 1 percentage point and Osmani’s by 4 percentage points in one year. The airports also achieved 100 percent compliance in the assessment of additional security measures related to cargo.

CAAB officials believe the DfT audit results will help with preparations for the upcoming ICAO audit. The observations made during the DfT audit have also provided an opportunity to identify shortcomings and take corrective measures. Bangladesh has been under the European Union’s high-risk cargo and mail regime since 2017. Additional security measures, time and costs are consequently required for cargo and mail bound for Europe.

Unauthorised drones, security equipment and the capacity to respond quickly to emergencies are also receiving renewed attention in relation to airport security. Speaking at the “Airport Emergency Exercise (Fire) 2026” held at HSIA yesterday, Civil Aviation Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said, “The ICAO audit will take place soon. The country’s image is linked to its observations. So we need to ensure compliance in advance in areas where ICAO may raise observations.”

He also called for the same security protocols to be followed for everyone, including VIPs and CIPs.

The aviation minister also said initiatives would be taken to install an anti-drone system to prevent unauthorised drones, considering the airport a Key Point Installation (KPI). He also stressed the need to maintain more security equipment and scanners than currently required. Noting that the first few minutes after an accident or fire at an airport are extremely important, he also directed the authorities to ensure rapid communication and coordination among the Fire Service, airport management, security and medical teams.