Bangladesh has decided to make major changes to security at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, gradually returning leadership to civilian agencies. About half of the nearly 1,450 Bangladesh Air Force personnel serving under “In Aid to Civil Power” will be withdrawn in the first phase. After an assessment of conditions, a further one-third of the remaining personnel will also be withdrawn.

The decision was made on Thursday at the first meeting of the reconstituted National Civil Aviation Security Committee at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh headquarters, held after nearly three years. Alongside the reduction of Air Force personnel, authorities plan to strengthen CAAB’s Aviation Security, the Airport Armed Police Battalion and other regular law-enforcement agencies. Civilian bodies will lead routine airport security, law enforcement and administrative control during normal times.

Aviation expert Kazi Wahidul Alam said military forces are effective in crises but civilian security agencies and specialized aviation units should manage international airport security in the long term. Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam said further meetings involving all security stakeholders would be held. Authorities are also pursuing a memorandum of understanding to enable rapid armed-forces support during major security crises or national-security situations.