Online Desk || Breaking the news that Sheikh Hasina had left the country remains the finest achievement of my journalism career. Publishing the report involved significant risks, but as a journalist, I did not hesitate to take that risk.On August 5, 2024, around 11:00am, I received information that thousands of people from Shani Akhra and Jatrabari were moving towards Ganabhaban. Another large crowd was approaching from Uttara. The situation was extremely tense.My office was located in Karwan Bazar. Outside the office, the city appeared almost deserted. There was hardly any police presence and very few people on the streets. The entire city was gripped by uncertainty.After 12:30pm, I called the Prime Minister’s Office. I had several sources there. When I contacted one of them, he told me, “Hasina has already left.”I was stunned and asked, “What do you mean by left?”He replied that she had flown to India. Shortly afterwards, he ended the call.I called again to gather more details. He then told me that members of the Special Security Force (SSF) had taken her away, almost by force, because they had information that around five lakh people were approaching from Uttara and another three and a half lakh from Jatrabari. Under such circumstances, it would not have been possible to control the situation or remain at Ganabhaban through a crackdown.The plan was to take Sheikh Hasina out of the country through Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The route was planned from Ganabhaban to Jahangir Gate, then through a road inside the cantonment area to the airport.However, when the convoy carrying Hasina reached near the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre, they received information that a section of the crowd from Uttara had entered the airport premises. As a result, taking her there was no longer considered possible.The decision was then made to take her out of the country by helicopter from the old Tejgaon Airport.I also learned that before leaving, Sheikh Hasina wanted to deliver an address to the nation. Bangladesh Television (BTV) had been informed accordingly. However, BTV requires around an hour to set up for recording a speech, and she did not have that much time.After confirming these developments, I contacted Peter Martell, who oversees AFP’s South Asia coverage in Delhi. He told me that AFP could not publish such a report based on a single source.He explained that although my source might be telling the truth, there was still a possibility that the situation could change. “If we report that Hasina has fled and she returns half an hour later, our credibility will be questioned. You could face legal consequences, and AFP’s bureau could also come under pressure,” he told me.He advised me to verify the information through additional sources.I then contacted two more sources. Both confirmed that the information I had received was accurate. After receiving confirmation from multiple sources, I decided to publish the report.After 1:00pm, AFP issued the breaking news. Immediately after publication, many of AFP’s clients in Bangladesh and abroad began reporting the development while citing AFP.From 1:00pm to 2:00pm, I was extremely anxious. I kept thinking about what could happen if the situation changed. I prayed and recited whatever prayers I knew. Around 2:00pm, Bangladesh Television announced that the Chief of Army Staff would address the nation. At that moment, I felt relieved. I realised that Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year-long chapter of rule had come to an end.