Bangladesh Anarchy: NSA Doval Meets Sheikh Hasina At Hindon Airbase; Air India, Indian Rlys Cancel Flights, Trains To & From Dhaka

New Delhi: As anarchy took over on the streets and institutions of Bangladesh and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India, New Delhi took stock of the situation in its neighbouring country and adopted measures to ensure safety and security.

The Border Security Force (BSF) issued a “high alert” along the 4,096-km India-Bangladesh border, with BSF Director General (Acting) Daljit Singh Chawdhary and other senior officers reaching Kolkata to review the security situation, officials said.

Troops have been deployed across the Indo-Bangladesh border.

“In view of the changed situation in Bangladesh, the BSF has issued alert all along Indo-Bangladesh border and the number of troops deployed along the border has been increased,” BSF’s South Bengal frontier spokesperson told PTI.

Within an hour of Sheikh Hasina’s Army aircraft landing at Hindin airbase in UP’s Ghaziabad, near Delhi, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met the former Bangladesh Prime Minister to discuss the situation and her probable plans.

For the time being, a ‘safe house’ has been set up for Hasina, who has learnt to have approached the UK government to travel to London.

Air India cancelled all flights to and from Dhaka.

“In view of the emerging situation in Bangladesh, we have cancelled the scheduled operation of our flights to and from Dhaka with immediate effect,” Air India announced.

“We are continuously monitoring the situation and are extending support to our passengers with confirmed bookings for travel to and from Dhaka with a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges. Safety of our guests and crew remains our foremost priority,” Air India stated.

The Tata-owned airline urged people to call 24/7 contact centre at 011-69329333 / 011-69329999 for more information.

Indigo Airlines also cancelled all flights scheduled for Tuesday “in view of the ongoing situation in Dhaka.”

Indian Railways had already cancelled all train services, including Kolkata-Dhaka-Kolkata Maitri Express, till August 6. The latest uncertainty is likely to affect train services further.