Citizen Initiative is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic crash of a Bangladesh Air Force training jet at Milestone School and College, which has, according to the latest reports, claimed the lives of at least 20 individuals, including young students. More than 150 students, teachers, and civilians have also sustained injuries in this horrific accident.

We offer our heartfelt prayers for the departed souls and express our deepest condolences to the grieving families. We also wish a swift and full recovery for all those injured.

In light of the national mourning declared for tomorrow, and given the fact that many traumatized students from Milestone College are due to sit for the HSC examination, we strongly urge the authorities to postpone tomorrow’s HSC exam as a humane and responsible gesture.

We further call on the government to immediately form an independent, impartial, and professional investigation committee to determine the root cause of the repeated crashes of F-7 fighter jets during training, and to publicly share the findings. It is critical to take effective preventive measures to avoid such tragedies in the future.

Citizen Initiative also appeals to the government and relevant authorities to ensure priority medical treatment for all the injured at hospitals in Dhaka. Additionally, we urge that the families of the deceased be provided with appropriate state compensation and long-term support.

In this moment of collective grief, we call upon the state, civil society, and all citizens to stand together in solidarity with the victims and their families. We hope that this tragedy will be met with a response that reflects our commitment to humanity, justice, and accountability.

Sincerely,
Taib Ahmed
Secretary, Citizen Initiative
PhD Candidate & Instructor, Colorado State University

Dr. Hasan Mahmud
Chair, Citizen Initiative
Assistant Professor, Northwestern University, Qatar