November 5, 2025, 6:47 am
Thick smoke in the sky of Dhaka. Flames are burning in the huge warehouse area of the Cargo Village of Shahjalal International Airport. Explosions one after another, containers burning in flames, and the relentless efforts of 36 fire units – the fire is still not under control. Bangladesh has rarely seen such a scene before.
This fire is not just a warehouse fire—it is a huge question mark on the country’s security, administrative efficiency, and political stability. Because the airport is one of the most secure and strategic facilities in Bangladesh. If the fire spreads like this and is not brought under control for hours, it may not be a mere accident, but may also indicate a deeper plan—there is now a fear in the minds of many.
Coming up with the ‘sabotage theory’ within hours of a fire may seem like an exaggerated comment. But we have had countless experiences of ‘burning our tongues by eating lime thinking it was yogurt’. No accident in Bangladesh is considered a mere accident anymore.
Initial information from the fire service says the fire started in a warehouse inside the Cargo Village. There were a lot of flammable packaging materials, paper, plastic and electronic products stored there. However, so far, no confirmed information has been received about the actual source of the fire.
Authorities say, ‘We will know after the investigation.’ But questions are being raised from social media to political analysts – is such a big fire possible just because of an accident?
Shahjalal Airport has recently undergone extensive modernization. The third terminal is almost complete, new firefighting systems and security technology have been installed. If an accident occurs despite all these investments, it is undoubtedly a reflection of failure.
And if sabotage has occurred in any way, it will be the biggest weakness in national security.
A series of fires across Bangladesh in the past two weeks have now created a horrific trend. A massive fire at a commercial building in Mirpur, the capital Dhaka, has damaged many establishments. Earlier, a huge fire broke out at a garment factory called Adams Cap in the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) of Chittagong. Now, following that trend, a massive fire has broken out at the Cargo Village at Shahjalal International Airport—one of the most secure areas in the country.
It is difficult to dismiss these successive fire incidents as mere accidents. Because each incident occurred in a place where there should not be a lack of security and firefighting systems. Therefore, many believe that these may be part of a larger plan, the purpose of which is to shake the country’s economic stability and international trust.
Although an investigation has not been launched, this “continuity” between the incidents has undoubtedly given rise to a deep question – is the country falling into the hands of some invisible sabotage?
The political reality of 2025 is now extremely complex. With national elections ahead, the party equation is changing rapidly. Political parties are active in various ways, and there are rumors of various conflicts within the government.
At such a time, a major accident—especially at the country’s main international gateway—can have huge political repercussions.
Sabotage is nothing new to politics in Bangladesh. In the past, there have been incidents of sabotage in transportation, railway lines, power plants, or port areas, the purpose of which was to convey a political message, create chaos, or divert state attention.
So many are asking the question – is this fire also carrying a message? If so, then it is a big signal not only politically, but also diplomatically.
Bangladesh is today at a crucial juncture in the geopolitics of South Asia.
India, China and the United States—the three superpowers—are interested in Bangladesh’s strategic position. India wants to maintain border security and regional influence. China wants to use Bangladesh as a commercial gateway to South Asia through port and infrastructure projects.
And the United States wants to keep the political balance of Bangladesh in its favor as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy.
In the equation of these three powers, Bangladesh’s airports, especially Shahjalal, are an important logistical node. Stability here means stability of their regional interests.
Therefore, such a fire at the airport not only shakes international security but also diplomatic confidence.
Corruption allegations are common in almost every major state infrastructure project in Bangladesh. The airport is no exception. There have been many reports of customs evasion, bribery, illegal shipments, and administrative syndicates at Cargo Village.
Some analysts believe that if documents, evidence, or warehoused goods were somehow destroyed in the fire, it could be a tactic by Dhaka to commit economic crimes.
There have been incidents in the country before where government office files, records, and even evidence of corruption have been burned in a fire, and the incident has later been dismissed as an “accident.”
Although evidence has not yet been found, the possibility cannot be completely ruled out.
A fundamental inquiry question in any unusual event is—“Who benefits?”
The state, airport authorities, and business people have been the most affected by this fire.
But who might benefit in return?
1. Someone may be trying to take advantage of the political chaos.
2. Someone may be setting the fire to cover up economic irregularities.
3. Some international interest groups may also want an atmosphere of uncertainty to spread in Bangladesh.
These questions can only be answered through a transparent and independent investigation.
The fire has once again exposed the fragility of Bangladesh’s security system. Not just the airport, but the security of the country’s power plants, ports, and strategic installations now needs to be reassessed.
Experts say that if the fire spread so quickly despite modern CCTV, sensors, and fire alarms, it is difficult to imagine anything other than internal malfunction or sabotage.
The fire service has not yet been able to control the fire at Hazrat Shahjalal Airport. After that, there will definitely be an investigation committee. However, there is a question about when that investigation committee will submit its report.
Will the people of the country accept that investigation report with their eyes closed? Because in our country, there are many times when an investigation report becomes necessary.
At a time when the country is politically sensitive, under international scrutiny, and administrative pressure, such a fire at the airport is undoubtedly not just an accident, but a signal.
This signal may be saying that someone inside and outside the country is trying to destabilize the situation.
It cannot be said for sure until the investigation begins, but this much is clear – this fire is not just fire, but within it is burning the spark of the country’s political reality.
