The recent jet crash at Milestones School starkly
highlights the significant shortcomings of the Bangladesh
Air Force
The Chief of Air Force must explain why a complete military airbase capable of supporting
skilled pilots, trainers, and operational training jets was not established outside the capital.

Dr. Pamelia Riviere
A tragic incident unfolded on Monday afternoon when a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft
crashed onto the grounds of Milestone School and College in Dhaka, the bustling capital city.
The horrific event claimed the lives of at least 20 individuals and left a staggering 171 others
injured, according to military officials.
The recent disastrous jet crash at Milestones School vividly underscores the critical deficiencies
within the Bangladesh Air Force, revealing a pressing need for improvement and accountability.A fighter jet took off shortly after 1 p.m. from an air base near the busy international airport, only
to tragically crash into the second floor of a school building filled with innocent third and fourth-
graders. Milestone School and College, which serves students from elementary through high
school, is now mourning an indescribable loss that touches the hearts of families, teachers, and
staff alike.
The devastating impact of this accident is irreparable, leaving behind a deep sense of grief and
shock in the community. According to an initial report from the armed forces, the pilot—who
tragically lost his life in the incident—tried to manoeuvre the aircraft away from populated areas,
demonstrating his bravery in the face of disaster.However, this incident clearly exposes significant shortcomings within the Bangladesh Air
Force, raising urgent questions about safety and oversight. The sorrow felt by all those affected is
immeasurable, marking a profound and grave chapter in the lives of many.

In a solemn statement, the Bangladeshi military attributed the crash to a mechanical failure. The
aircraft, identified as an F-7 BGI — a Chinese fighter jet modelled after a Russian MiG design
— plummeted in the Uttara area, situated just north of the city's international airport and a
military airbase.
Details surrounding the incident are still emerging, as an investigation is underway to uncover
the precise circumstances that led to this devastating accident. This tragic episode highlights the
alarming deficiencies in the Bangladesh Air Force's pilot training facilities and administrative
capabilities.
It has been nearly fifty years since the armed forces — the Army, Air Force, and Navy — have
struggled to demonstrate their competence and operational excellence. The Bangladesh Army
faced immense scrutiny during the harrowing BDR killings in 2009, where the lack of leadership
and decisive action resulted in the loss of 57 esteemed BDR officers, tragically leaving their
families shattered and in anguish. To this day, the mystery surrounding the BDR massacre looms
large; justice for those officers remains a distant hope.
Now, the Air Force’s shortcomings are starkly evident once again, prompting a desperate call for
accountability. An exhaustive investigation is essential, and the Chief of Air Force must address
why a military airbase capable of supporting skilled pilots, trainers, and operational training jets
was not established outside the capital.

The shocking reality of a training jet crashing into a school building raises pressing questions:
Who is responsible for this catastrophic loss of young lives, and who will answer for the injuries
sustained by so many innocent children? The negligence and inadequacy displayed in this
incident are utterly unacceptable, and those responsible must be held accountable.

Dr. Pamelia Riviere is a freelance Writer and analyst.