Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned following an ultimatum from the Army, which gave her just 45 minutes to step down.
This dramatic development came after a weekend of intense violence and unrest, marking one of the deadliest periods in Bangladesh's recent history.
According to sources, Hasina was flown to India in a Bangladesh Air Force helicopter. She was seen departing for the Air Force base in Kurmitola at 14:25 local time.
Earlier, a senior advisor to Hasina hinted on that her resignation was a "possibility."
The protests escalated dramatically on Sunday when police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse tens of thousands of demonstrators demanding her resignation, resulting in 98 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
According to sources, Hasina and her sister left Ganabhaban, the Prime Minister's official residence, for a safer location.
"She wanted to record a speech but could not get an opportunity," the source said. Local media reported that Hasina was flown to India in a military helicopter and subsequently resigned.
"The situation is such that this is a possibility, but I don't know how it will happen," an aide close to Hasina said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, Hasina’s son urged the country's security forces to prevent any power takeover as hundreds of thousands of protesters continue to call for her departure.
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