Wing Commander Saifur detained over alleged involvement in Ilias Ali disappearance

Wing Commander Md Saifur Rahman of the Bangladesh Air Force has been taken into custody by the Air Force authorities over allegations of involvement in the enforced disappearance and killing of former Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) lawmaker M Ilias Ali.

The development was confirmed by journalist Zulkarnain Saer in a post on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday.

According to Air Force authorities, Saifur Rahman was taken into custody after his name allegedly emerged during the testimony of Bangladesh Army Warrant Officer Imrul Kayes before the International Crimes Tribunal on June 21, 2026.

Kayes was testifying in a crimes against humanity case involving more than 100 alleged incidents of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

During his testimony, Kayes alleged that Saifur Rahman, who was serving as a Squadron Leader at the time, had been posted to the Intelligence Wing of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) when Ilias Ali was allegedly abducted and killed.

Wing Commander Saifur Rahman is also the son-in-law of former Bangladesh Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed.