Iron-clad security for Tarique after landing in Dhaka

After more than 17 years in exile, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is finally set to return home. With his plane ticket purchased and a travel pass secured, all that remains is the moment he steps onto Bangladeshi soil on December 25, ending one of the longest political exiles in the country’s history.

The announcement has generated widespread excitement among BNP leaders, activists and supporters. At the same time, it has heightened concerns over security, particularly in the wake of the recent shooting incident involving Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. Against this backdrop, the government and law enforcement agencies are preparing what officials describe as unprecedented, multi-layered security arrangements for Tarique Rahman’s arrival and subsequent movements.

State responsibility, heightened alert

Home Ministry sources say ensuring the safety of any citizen is the responsibility of the state. While officials insist there is no specific intelligence indicating an extraordinary threat to Tarique Rahman, they acknowledge that the return of a high-profile political leader is always a sensitive issue requiring advance planning.

Security analysts echo this view, noting that coordinated preparation and intelligence-based deployment can significantly reduce risks. “This is a major political event. The state has a duty to ensure not only Tarique Rahman’s security, but also overall stability,” one analyst said.

High-level meeting, maximum security instructions

Police sources confirmed that shortly after learning of Tarique Rahman’s decision to return, a high-level meeting was held last Monday to finalise security measures. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali, and other senior officials attended the meeting.

According to officials familiar with the discussion, the government instructed law enforcement agencies to ensure maximum security for Tarique Rahman and to closely monitor the situation so that no security gaps remain.

Security vetting, intelligence clearance

From the moment Tarique Rahman lands at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, a special security ring will come into effect. The DMP will provide police escorts in front of and behind his vehicle, while intelligence agencies will closely monitor the surroundings.

In a notable move, the DMP has begun security vetting of police personnel assigned to his protection. Their political background, family details and intelligence reports are being reviewed by multiple agencies. Officers who fail to receive positive clearance will not be deployed.

Alongside uniformed police, detectives in plain clothes will be stationed to ensure continuous surveillance.

SWAT, bomb disposal and dog squad deployment

Several thousand police personnel will be deployed along the route from the airport to Gulshan. Members of the DMP’s SWAT team and Bomb Disposal Unit will be on active duty throughout the day.

Before Tarique Rahman enters any location, his residence and office will be swept by the dog squad to rule out explosive threats. Intelligence surveillance along possible routes – to both his home and hospital – will be intensified from the night before his arrival.

As BNP has not yet confirmed whether Tarique Rahman will go directly home or to the hospital, where her mother Khaleda Zia is undergoing treatment, security and traffic plans are being prepared for both routes.

Traffic diversions, toll-free expressway

With a massive crowd expected in Dhaka on the day of his return, traffic police are finalising special plans. These include road diversions at key points and a proposal to keep the elevated expressway open for all vehicles and toll-free on December 25 to ease congestion.

BNP’s own security measures

In addition to state security, BNP has appointed Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam as chief security officer for Tarique Rahman. A separate party-led security team will operate under his supervision.

BNP has also finalised accommodation and office arrangements. Tarique Rahman will reside at house number 196, North Avenue, Gulshan next to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s rented residence, Firoza. A dedicated chamber has been set up for him at the Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan.

Meanwhile, the house 10/C on Road 90, Gulshan, has been rented as the BNP’s party office, from where preparations for the upcoming 11th Jatiya Sangsad elections will be coordinated. The four-storey building is under strict security, fitted with CCTV cameras, briefing rooms, research cells and controlled access points.

Police will establish a tight security perimeter around the area, barring any unauthorised gatherings.

Political message and official assurances

On Saturday, December 20, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the rally scheduled for December 25 would deliver a “clear message” to the nation, asserting that conspiracies against democracy would no longer succeed.

DMP Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman told Jago News that adequate security arrangements are already in place. DMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Md. Nazrul Islam said, “Tarique Rahman will be provided police protection from the airport. Additional measures are also being taken. Everything cannot be disclosed at this moment.”

Experts call for broader security reform

Associate Professor and criminologist Dr Touhidul Haque of Dhaka University said Tarique Rahman’s return is a significant political moment that demands strong and effective action from law enforcement.

“State-level decisions and management can ensure his security to a large extent, while party-level arrangements can address the rest,” he said. However, he stressed that security should not be limited to one leader alone.

“It is essential to build an overall security system where every citizen feels safe. A qualitative improvement in law and order is expected around this event, and public trust in law enforcement must be strengthened.”

A moment of high political stakes

As political anticipation builds ahead of December 25, both supporters and observers are watching closely – not only for Tarique Rahman’s long-awaited return, but also for how effectively the state manages security during one of the most politically sensitive moments in recent years.