Security officials yesterday handed over a former upazila chairman to police for entering the domestic terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) with a firearm and bullets without any prior declaration.

Mujibor Rahman Shamim, the former chairman of Bagerhat’s Chitalmari upazila and a local Awami League (AL) leader, was detained by the airport security officials and later handed over to Biman Bandar Police Station for carrying a pistol and 10 rounds of bullets, said Wing Commander Noore Alam Siddiqi, director,  Aviation Security (AVSEC) at the HSIA.

Shamim was preparing to board a Barishal-bound flight scheduled to take off at 4:20pm, the official added.

According to rules, an individual must inform the airport authorities about the arms and ammunitions while entering at the airport.

During security scanning, the pistol and bullets were detected inside Shamim’s handbag.

SM Quaium, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Biman Bandar Police Station, told The Daily Star that Shamim would be produced before court today.

On March 24, security officials detained ABM Majharul Anam, president of Darus Salam Unit AL for entering the domestic terminal of HSIA with carrying 44 rounds of bullets without any prior declaration.

Earlier on March 22, police detained Mujibur Rahman, agricultural affairs secretary of Satkhira AL, for entering the domestic terminal of HSIA with a pistol and 32 bullets without notifying the authorities.

In a similar incident on March 16, police detained AHM Nurul Islam, bodyguard of the chairman of Probashi Palli Group, at the same terminal, for carrying a shotgun without informing the authorities.

In another incident at the terminal on March 11, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh detained Mohammad Masud Chowdhury, chairman of Phulsahara Union Parishad in Jashore’s Chougachha upazila, for carrying a pistol and seven bullets.

The arrests come after the recent attempt of a passenger to hijack a Dubai-bound Bangladesh Biman flight on February 24, using a toy pistol and a bomb-like object. The incident raised serious concerns over security at the Dhaka airport.