Attempt to hijack Dubai-bound plane in Bangladesh foiled, suspect arrested

Dhaka, Feb 24: A Biman Bangladesh Airlines plane en route to Dubai from Dhaka made an emergency landing at the Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong following a hijacking attempt.

The plane belonged to national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines and was supposed to fly to Dubai from Dhaka via Chittagong.

All passengers have disembarked the plane while the alleged gunman and two crew members are still onboard, reports said.

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"There were 142 passengers and all of them have come out from the aircraft safely," an officer told Reuters.

The hijacker was armed and opened fire during the incident, a local legislator who was on the plane told Somoy TV.

"He fired a shot. When the pilot pursued him, he said he wanted to talk to the prime minister," the witness said.

Bangladeshi politicans Moin Uddin Khan Badal told the Dhaka Tribune that he was on board the plane and he heard a gunshot. He also said hijacker had demanded to speak to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The suspect has now been arrested.