On July 21, 2025, tragedy struck in Dhaka’s Uttara district when a Bangladesh Air Force F‑7 BGI trainer jet crashed into the Milestone School & College campus shortly after takeoff from BAF Base Bir Uttom A. K. Khandker. The jet departed at approximately 1:06 PM local time and experienced a mechanical failure, according to military officials.
Casualties & Chaos
The crash claimed the lives of the pilot and at least 19 people on the ground, most of them students. Reports estimate up to 20 fatalities, including a third-grade child, with over 160 others injured, many suffering severe burns.
Videos from the scene show smoke, fire, and panicked crowds rushing to rescue those trapped. Local residents and rescuers used rickshaws and whatever transport was available to carry the wounded to hospitals, while emergency services battled the blaze amid chaos.
Heroic Pilot & Official Response
Military officials commended the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam Sagar, for his efforts to steer the jet away from densely populated areas—even as he ejected just seconds before impact. He was transported to a military hospital but sadly succumbed to injuries shortly after.
A high-level investigation committee has been set up, with authorities pledging a transparent inquiry into the cause of the crash. The government also declared July 22 a national day of mourning, with flags flying at half-mast and condolences pouring in from leaders and the public alike.
Aircraft & Background
The tragic jet was a Chengdu F‑7 BGI, the most advanced variant of China’s J‑7/MiG‑21 family. Bangladesh acquired 16 of these jets between 2011 and 2013. This twin-seat trainer is upgraded with multifunction displays and a modern radar system—though still based on decades-old Soviet-era design architecture.
Why This Matters
Worst aviation tragedy in decades: This incident marks one of the deadliest military aviation accidents involving civilians in Bangladesh’s modern history.
School safety in focus: With nearly 2,000 students enrolled and several classes in session, the collision impacted both educational infrastructure and thousands of young lives.
Urgent lessons for training and maintenance: The crash raises concerns over aircraft upkeep, pilot safety protocols, and operational risk assessment for training flights near populated zones.
