Security in airports tightened amid fresh input

New Delhi, Aug 10: The Union Home Ministry has sounded red alert in all airports in the light of fresh security input suggesting infiltration by Pakistan-trained terrorists to disrupt Independence Day celebrations on August 15.

According to intelligence information, six Pakistani-trained terrorists might infiltrate via Algeria or the Maldives.

In the light of the "distressing" input, the ministry has directed the Central Industrial Security Force to augment its surveillance and installation and anti-hijacking measures.

The CISF, which has been in charge of security in 55 airports, has put in place a 24X7 dog squad and bomb disposal and detection squad in all the major airports, in the wake of an aborted terror plot to blow up a US-bound airport in London early today.

CISF sources told sources that the security in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai airports had been tightened by introducing several new facilities and new drill.

Accordingly, dustbins in these airports will be cleared once in half-an-hour and the materials collected put to verification.

Sweeping Patrolling Beats have been introduced in many airports.

Under the system, men in mufti would mingle with the general crowd of passengers to detect anything amiss.

Sources said LMG-Mounted vehicles would be on regular patrol outside the terminal buildings. "We have increased the perimetre security, besides augmenting access control,'' they said.

Besides the cabin baggage checking using X-ray baggage Inspection system (XBIS), 100 per cent manual checking was also suggested at least for international flight as an effective anti-hijacking measure.

Though the number of security personnel has not been increased, but in many airports, their duty hours have been increased.

Sources said profiling and surveillance of passengers and employees had been intensified inside and outside the airports.

UNI

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