Shortly after it was reported that Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister had fled Bangladesh amid ongoing violence in the country, security agencies in India began monitoring a C-130 aircraft with the call sign AJAX1431 as it flew in close proximity to the Indian border.
Sources said the aircraft was headed towards Delhi and it is believed that Sheikh Hasina and some members of her entourage are on board. The aircraft is expected to reach Delhi around 1700-1715 hours.
The Bangladesh Air Force plane crossed Patna and was tracked near the Uttar Pradesh-Bihar border. Sources stated that the top security brass is monitoring the situation very closely, and “all radars are active and keeping a close watch.”
Meanwhile, protests and celebrations were reported from Dhaka, with some protesters cheering the news of Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.
Local Bangladesh media outlet Prothom Alo reported that protesters set fire to the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum at 32 Dhanmondi. Prothom Alo reported that there was a raging fire and protesters chanted slogans. The agitators also set fire to the Dhaka district office of the Awami League. The fire was started around 4 pm on Monday and spread to a nearby gas cylinder shop.
Many people also entered Ganabhaban, the Prime Minister’s official residence, after it was reported that Sheikh Hasina had fled Dhaka following her resignation. Prothom Alo reported that protesters were seen cheering with their hands raised on the grounds of Ganabhaban, chanting slogans.