Inquiry commission formed over jet crash at Milestone

The government has formed a nine-member inquiry commission to investigate the Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara, Dhaka.

A gazette notification in this regard was issued by the Cabinet Division on Sunday night (July 27).

The commission will be headed by former secretary AKM Zafar Ullah Khan and has been directed to submit its report within four weeks.

Other members of the commission include: former Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Administration), Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) M Sayed Hossain; one additional secretary each from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief; the Divisional Commissioner of Dhaka; urban planner Professor Adil Muhammad Khan; Professor Md Ashiqur Rahman of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at BUET; and Barrister Ashraf Ali.

The office of the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner will provide secretarial support to the commission.

The commission has been tasked with investigating the causes, background, and accountability surrounding the jet crash. It will assess the loss of life, injuries to students, teachers, and others, and evaluate all forms of damage caused by the incident.

Additionally, the commission will examine the legality and administrative aspects of constructing establishments like Milestone School and other buildings near the airport. It will assess the safety of the flying zone and determine whether such developments complied with regulations.

The body will also make recommendations to prevent similar accidents in the future, including measures related to training flights, construction within flying zones, and emergency response protocols.

According to the gazette, the commission has the authority to visit any location in the country and summon or question any individual as part of its investigation.

On July 21, a Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crashed onto the campus of Milestone School and College. So far, 35 people have been reported dead, and 36 others are undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.