Adviser Asif Mahmud explains firearm magazine incident at airport, denies media pressure

Adviser Asif Mahmud Sojib Bhuiyan has issued a clarification after a firearm magazine was found in his bag during security screening at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Sunday morning.

In a statement posted on his personal Facebook account, Mahmud said the magazine was left in his bag by mistake. He explained that while packing for his trip to Morocco, he left his licensed firearm and one magazine at home, but inadvertently carried another magazine in his bag. “After it was detected during scanning, I handed it over to my personal protocol officer,” he wrote.

Mahmud departed early Sunday to attend the OIC Youth Capital International Programme in Morocco’s Marrakesh.

He further noted that he holds a valid firearm licence for personal security, citing past attempts on the lives of those involved in the mass uprising. “When there is no official protocol or security arrangement, I carry it to ensure the safety of myself and my family,” he said.

Regarding the incident, Mahmud stated, “My flight was at 6:50am. While packing early in the morning, I mistakenly left one magazine in the bag. It was unintentional. A magazine alone has no use. Had there been any ill intent, I would not have left the weapon behind.”

He also rejected allegations of attempting to suppress media reports about the incident. “The claim of pressuring news outlets is entirely false. I was in flight for 10 hours and only came across the reports much later during a transit stop,” he said.

Mahmud added that citizens facing security risks can apply for licensed firearms by following due procedures.