High alert in airports following bomb threat

Tiruchirapalli, Nov 8 (UNI) The Tiruchirapalli International Airport was placed under high alert today, following the receipt of an anonymous letter stating that 'al-Qaeda' terrorists would attack the airports at Chennai, Tiruchirapalli, Madurai and Kerala with car bombs.

Airport Director S Sreekumar told UNI that a sweeper noticed a cover addressed to the airport Director Mr Sreekumar, while cleaning the complex. But threw it away. However, some persons picked it up and read it, later informing the matter to the airport authorities.

He said the letter written in Tamil stated that the 'Al-Qaeda' terrorists planned to blow up the airports with high-tech car bombs.

Following this, a special meeting attended by officials of air operators, security personnel and others discussed the issue and took stock of the security in the aiport complex.

Though we have received similar threats in the past, this time as the letter particularly mentioned the car bomb we could not take it lightly, Mr Sreekumar said.

Asked whether there would be any ban on the entry of visitors, he replied as of now there was no such move. ''We are closely watching the visitors and others entering the airport. If the situation warrants, we will bar visitors, he said.

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