No 'fresh alert' at Delhi airport

New Delhi, Jan 10 (UNI) Even as airports across the country went on 'high alert' in response to a 'threat perception' emanating from a 'likely hijack attempt', security at Delhi airport remained ''as normal as could be''.

A senior official of the CISF deployed at the airport here, denied reports that any security alert had reached them.

''We have not received any threat notice from anywhere in the last two days. Infact, we received a message five days back, that too on a routine basis, of maintaining vigil in view of 'likely attempts' on flights. We are already on a high alert for months,'' he added.

However, a Civil Aviation Ministry spokesperson said security at all airports across the country had been increased after the ministry was warned about activities of Kashmiri terrorist organisations on likely attempts to free Mohammad Afzal --sentenced to death in the Parliament attack case.

The CISF official also said the message did not alarm an 'alert situation' and no additional security measures have been taken.

A spokesman of the Delhi Airport also denied any 'fresh alert' having been sounded as of today.

The Intelligence Bureau had received some information about a possible attempt to hijack aircraft or seize terminals by a militant group in order to Afzal freed after which the message was passed on to the CISF headquarters. However, there was not anything in it which could prompt any new security steps in this regard, he informed.

''The intelligence warning had talked of Kashmiri militants attempting to target aircraft or airports or even trying to take airport staff hostage.'' However, to avoid inconvenience, passengers are requested to reach early at the airport for added 'check-ups' if any, the spokesman added.

UNI