Security tightened at Delhi, other airports
New Delhi: Security around the country’s airports has been stepped up and all anti-hijacking measures put in place after intelligence agencies warned of a possible hijack attempt.
Security was on Sunday tightened at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport here following an intelligence alert that terrorists may target Air India flights going to Afghanistan, officials said.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which looks after the airport’s internal security, has been asked to be on alert and keep a tab on the activities of every person.
Besides, Delhi Police, which is in charge of security outside the airport, was also put on alert.
“Security has been extended and policemen have been increased,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI) M.I. Haider said.
CISF spokesperson Hemendra Singh said security has been tight since the last two months.
“Flights going to Afghanistan are being monitored carefully,” he said.
Air India spokesperson G.P. Rao said that their control room in Kolkata on Saturday received a call from an unknown person who said the Kolkata-Kabul flight will be hijacked but it later turned out to be a hoax.
“We have not received any official input from intelligence agencies about a threat on Delhi-Kabul flights. But checks are on,” Rao said.
In 1999, Indian Airlines flight IC 814 was hijacked by terrorists who took it to Kandahar in Afghanistan and demanded the release of three terrorists from Indian prisons in return for the passengers.
Uneasy calm: Meanwhile, an uneasy calm prevailed in this last Indian village along the International Border in Samba district in Jammu and Kashmir with residents reluctant to return fearing cross-border firing from Pakistan.
The residents here say that every time there is firing from across the border they become the real targets.
Since incidents of ceasefire violations from across the border have gone up, villagers in almost all areas along the international border in Samba, Kathua and Jammu district have been forced to leave their houses and cattle behind to take shelter in safer locations. (Agencies)