After nearly 17 years, Tarique Rahman, a prominent figure in Bangladeshi politics, is returning home. He is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and a top leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Violence continues in the neighboring country. A bulletproof bus arrived at the CIP gate of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport this morning amid tight security ahead of the return of BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman. Painted red and green, the specially designed bus features large portraits of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman, and party founder Zia ur Rahman on its sides. Slogans highlighting democracy and political struggle are also displayed on the vehicle. The bus has reinforced windows and security personnel were seen surrounding it as it entered the airport's CIP area. Senior BNP leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that after completing airport formalities, Tariq will likely board the bus and head straight to Evercare Hospital, where he will visit his ailing mother. They further stated that on his way to the hospital, he will deliver a brief speech at a gathering on the 36th July Expressway (also known as 300 Feet Road). Security has been beefed up in and around the airport, and members of the army, police, Rab, and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed to ensure his safety during his travels. Tariq Rahman will arrive at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:45 am on Thursday. Senior BNP leaders will welcome him at the airport. He will travel via the July Expressway to the reception site and address party workers there. He will then visit Evercare Hospital to visit his ailing mother, Khaleda Zia. He will then return to his residence in Gulshan-2. Tariq Rahman is accompanied by his wife, Zubaida Rahman, and daughter, Zaima Rahman. They departed from London's Heathrow Airport on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. The Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight they were on made a stop at Osmani International Airport in Sylhet and arrived in Dhaka at around 9:58 a.m. Earlier, Tariq wrote on his verified Facebook profile at around 9:30 a.m., "After 6,314 long days, back in the Bangladesh skies." Their flight is scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:50 a.m. Bangladesh is currently going through a political and social crisis. The situation is tense ahead of the February elections. The Awami League, considered close to India, is not contesting the elections. During the tenure of interim government head Mohammad Yunus, there have been signs of a distancing from India and a growing closer to Pakistan. The radical organization Jamaat-e-Islami, which India believes is linked to Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI, has become active again. India therefore sees the BNP as a relatively liberal and democratic alternative, despite past strains in India-Bangladesh relations. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern for the ailing Khaleda Zia. The BNP expressed gratitude for this gesture. This was seen as a positive message between the two sides after many years.