Government Forms 9-Member Commission to Investigate Fighter Jet Crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara

Dhaka, July 27, 2025: The interim government of Bangladesh has constituted a nine-member commission to investigate the tragic crash of a Bangladesh Air Force training fighter jet at Milestone School and College in Uttara, Dhaka. The commission is tasked with determining the circumstances, causes, responsibilities, and extent of damages caused by the incident, as well as identifying related issues. It has been directed to submit its report within four weeks.

The formation of the commission was announced through a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Sunday night.

The commission is headed by former secretary AKM Zafar Ullah Khan. Other members include former Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Administration) Air Vice Marshal M Saeed Hossain (Retd.), an additional secretary from the Ministry of Defence (nominated by the ministry), an additional secretary from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (nominated by the ministry), an additional secretary from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (nominated by the ministry), the Divisional Commissioner of Dhaka, urban planner Professor Adil Muhammad Khan, Professor Md. Ashikur Rahman from BUET’s Mechanical Engineering Department, and lawyer Ashraf Ali. According to the notification signed by Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid, under the directive of the President, the commission’s scope of work includes investigating the circumstances, causes, and responsibilities behind the jet crash on July 21 at Milestone School and College. It will also assess the loss of lives, including students, teachers, and others, as well as other damages, and identify related issues. **Scope of the Commission** The commission’s mandate includes examining the legal and administrative aspects of constructing Milestone School and College and other structures in close proximity to the airport, as well as the appropriateness and safety of the flying zone’s operations. It will provide recommendations to prevent such accidents, ensure safe operation of training flights, regulate building construction in flying zones, and establish emergency measures for catastrophic incidents. Additionally, it will suggest steps to avoid the recurrence of such tragic events and undertake any related tasks to achieve these objectives.

The commission is authorized to visit any location in Bangladesh, summon and question individuals, and conduct its investigation under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1956. It is required to submit its report to the government within four weeks from the date of the notification’s issuance. The Dhaka Divisional Commissioner’s office will provide secretarial support to the commission.