Helicopter shooting: UN finds RAB fired 738 teargas shells, over 700 sound-stun grenades during July uprising
UN calls for cooperation from RAB, police and army, including personnel deployed on helicopters for further probe
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) fired a total of 738 teargas shells, 190 sound grenades, and 557 stun grenades from helicopters during the quota reform movement, which later turned into a mass uprising.
According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) report published today (12 February) RAB officials admitted to deploying teargas, sound grenades, and stun grenades from helicopters but denied using rifles or shotguns for live fire.
The OHCHR emphasised the need for further investigation into the matter, urging full cooperation from RAB, the police, and the army, including personnel deployed on helicopters during the operations.
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However, eyewitnesses interviewed by OHCHR claimed they saw personnel firing rifles or shotguns loaded with lethal ammunition from helicopters between 19 and 21 July in multiple areas, including Badda, Bashundhara, Gazipur, Jatrabari, Mirpur, Mohakhali, Mohammadpur, and Rampura.
The report also mentioned a specific incident on 5 August in the Jamuna Park area, where a man was struck by a fragment of an armour-piercing bullet. OHCHR examined the fragment, and the victim alleged he was shot from an olive-green helicopter.
OHCHR stated that while it has analysed multiple videos, it has not obtained clear footage confirming live fire from helicopters.
The report suggests that some victims who appeared to have been hit from above may have been struck by bullets fired from elevated positions, projectiles falling after being shot into the air, or ricocheting fragments.
Significantly, the alleged shooting incidents occurred during government-imposed internet shutdowns, which prevented the circulation of videos or images on social media.
