In a harrowing incident amid Nepal’s spiraling political unrest, a Bangladeshi family was violently assaulted and robbed of cash and gold ornaments worth approximately Tk 8 lakh after protesters stormed their five-star hotel room in Kathmandu.
In a separate attack, a female Bangladeshi tourist lost her passport and belongings when her airport-bound bus was torched.
The Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu swiftly mobilised emergency operations, rescuing 30 stranded nationals.
On Thursday, the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) executed a dramatic evacuation mission, flying home 55 people, including the national football team, officials, and sports journalists, who had been stranded by the chaos.
Hotel attack: Family beaten, dollars and gold robbed
On Tuesday, protesters broke into the hotel room of Abu Yusuf and his family, three Bangladeshi nationals, beating them and looting US dollars and gold jewelry valued at around Tk 8 lakh.
Hotel staff provided first aid and offered alternative accommodation, but shaken and fearing further violence, the family refused to stay. They were later moved to the residence of Bangladesh’s Ambassador in Kathmandu, where they received medical care and protection.
Tourist’s bus torched, documents destroyed
In another shocking incident, a Bangladeshi female tourist traveling to Tribhuvan International Airport saw her bus engulfed in flames by protesters. Her passport, mobile phone, and personal belongings were reduced to ashes. She and other passengers fled to a nearby house and contacted the Embassy, which immediately arranged their rescue.
Diplomatic car attacked amid confusion
The Ambassador’s official vehicle was also caught in the turmoil while en route to support the national football team. Some protesters, spotting the Bangladeshi flag, chanted “Bangladesh! Bangladesh!” — seemingly in solidarity. Several young people greeted the embassy official inside the car with handshakes. But others, failing to recognize the diplomatic status of the car, smashed its rearview mirror before being restrained by fellow demonstrators.
The car was subsequently secured at a safe location and returned to the embassy the following day.
Embassy rescues 30 nationals
Diplomatic sources confirmed that 30 Bangladeshis have been rescued so far, 10 from the airport and 20 from various locations across Kathmandu. All were passengers of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and have been relocated to the airline’s designated safe hotel under close coordination with Embassy officials.
BAF launches emergency airlift
As the security situation worsened, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, urgently requested the Armed Forces Division to evacuate the national team and accompanying media personnel.
Acting on instructions from the Chief Adviser, the Bangladesh Air Force dispatched a transport aircraft from Dhaka’s Kurmitola Air Base at 11:53 am Thursday. It returned at 4:37 pm the same day with 55 evacuees: 38 footballers, coaches, team officials, and delegates; 16 sports journalists; and 1 student coordinator.
Brigadier General Md Alimul Amin, Director General of the Operations and Planning Directorate, Armed Forces Division, welcomed the evacuees at Kurmitola and addressed the media:
“The Bangladesh Armed Forces remain ever-ready to protect our citizens at home and abroad, as directed by the government. This operation was carried out with precision and urgency to ensure the safety of our athletes and journalists amid Nepal’s deteriorating security environment.”
Senior officials from the Armed Forces Division, Bangladesh Air Force, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and BFF President Tabith Awal were present at the airport to receive the team.
Embassy on high alert
The Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu continues to monitor the volatile situation closely. It has urged all Bangladeshi nationals in Nepal to maintain constant contact with consular officials for real-time safety updates and emergency assistance.
As Nepal grapples with political instability, Bangladesh’s rapid diplomatic and military response, from on-ground rescues to aerial evacuation, underscores its unwavering commitment to safeguarding its citizens, wherever they may be.