Two grenade-like objects were recovered from inside a flowerbed beside the main entrance of Shah Makhdum Airport in Rajshahi on Tuesday.
A bomb disposal unit later defused the objects at an open field in Pakuria area of Paba upazila.
The incident triggered panic in the airport area, prompting authorities to temporarily shut the main entrance as a precautionary measure. An alternative mosque gate was opened to facilitate the movement of passengers.
According to police sources, a passerby spotted the two objects inside the flowerbed on the left side of the airport's main entrance around 11:00am and informed Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Palash, who was on duty with a patrol team of Baya Police Outpost under Airport Police Station.
ASI Palash immediately informed the officer-in-charge of Airport Police Station.
Following the report, airport authorities and members of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn), responsible for security at the main entrance, took precautionary measures and closed the gate.
Passengers were subsequently directed to use the mosque gate to enter and exit the airport.
Police said three armed APBn personnel were deployed round the clock to guard the main entrance. However, it was not immediately known when or by whom the objects had been placed there.
The objects were later removed from the airport premises and taken to an open field in Pakuria area of Paba upazila, where members of the bomb disposal unit defused them following necessary safety measures.
Mohammad Gaziur Rahman, additional deputy commissioner (media) of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP), said police rushed to the spot after receiving information about the grenade-like objects.
"Taking the matter seriously, we coordinated with airport authorities and security personnel to take necessary measures. Considering the safety of passengers and the public, the main gate was temporarily closed and an alternative entrance was arranged," he said.
The police official said the objects had subsequently been defused with the assistance of the bomb disposal unit.
He added that police were investigating who had placed the objects there and why.
