Possible plane hijack puts Varanasi Aiport security on toes

Varanasi, Oct 1 (UNI) A strong prospect of Nepal bound flights from the country being hijacked by ultras to save Parliament attack accused Mohd Afzal Guru from being hanged to death on October 20, has put the security personnel at Varanasi Aiport on maximum alert.

Highly placed sources in airport security told UNI here today that specific intelligence inputs to New Delhi, Kolkata and Varanasi airport security have revealed ultras linked with banned Laskar-e-Toiba are on a mission to hijack flights from the country that were bound for Nepal.

Four Pakistani ultras, two of whom have managed Nepalese citizenship and passports, have been specifically assigned the task of hijacking Nepal bound flights from India, for exerting pressure on the government to free Mohd Afzal Guru.

Since flights to Nepal are operated from New Delhi, Kolkata and Varanasi, the security alert has been sounded for these airports.

The existing security cover at the Varanasi Airport, provided by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been further streamlined especially in terms of checks of passengers and thorough scanning of those accompanying the passengers, sources added.

Frisking has been enhanced to maximum at all three security zones -- city zone (outside airport premises), at the terminal building and checks on plane, sources added.

Besides, the Quick Reaction Teams of CISF have also been put on maximum alert to deal with any eventuality, especially a prospective hijack.

On December 24, 1999, an Indian Airlines flight IC-814 was hijacked by ultras and taken to Kandahar in Afghanistan, then under Taliban regime.

One of the passengers on board was killed by the ultras. Later, other passengers were allowed to return in exchange of three imprisoned terrorists, including Maulana Masood Azhar -- the founder of banned Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit -- and Omar Sheikh.

UNI ARS VS SHB KP1848