Government commissions investigation into deadly Milestone School jet crash

The commission has been tasked to report its findings within 4 weeks

The government has formed a nine-strong inquiry commission to determine the causes, liabilities, and damages of the Bangladesh Air Force jet crash at Milestone School and College in Dhaka's Diabari last week.

The Cabinet Division issued a circular announcing the development on Sunday.

The probe commission, headed by former secretary AKM Zafar Ullah Khan, has been asked to submit its report within 4 weeks.

According to the circular, signed by Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid, the commission has been tasked with investigating the background, causes, responsibilities, damages, and other matters involving the deadly crash which occurred on Jul 21.

It said the panel was empowered to visit any location within Bangladesh and summon and question any individual.

The commission comprises retired air vice marshal M Sayeed Hossain, three additional secretaries from three ministries, Dhaka divisional commissioner, urban planner Adil Mohammed Khan, BUET mechanical engineering department Professor Md Ashiqur Rahman, and Barrister Ashraf Ali.

According to the notice, the panel will assess all damages, including the deaths and severe injuries of students, teachers, and others at the school.

It will also examine the legal and administrative aspects of constructing Milestone School and other structures in areas extremely close to the airport, the positioning of the flying zone, and whether operations were conducted safely.

The panel will also provide recommendations for preventing future accidents, training flight operations, regulating construction within flying zones, and emergency response protocols in the event of severe crashes, and suggest necessary measures to avoid the recurrence of such incidents.