Security at Delhi airport beefed up after terror threat

The Central Industrial Security Force has been asked to be on alert and keep a tab on the activities of every person; flights going to Afghanistan are being monitored

New Delhi: Security was tightened at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport yesterday following an intelligence alert that terrorists may target Air India flights going to Afghanistan, officials said.

Aside from Delhi’s IGI airport, security personnel at Kolkata Airport have also been instructed to maintain vigil after intelligence agencies warned of a possible hijack attempt. Pic/PTI

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 Commiss-ioner 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 added.

Commenting on the issue, AI spokesperson G P Rao said the airline’s control room in Kolkata received a call from an unknown person on Saturday, claiming that a Kabul-bound flight would be hijacked. However, the warning turned out to be a hoax.
“We haven’t received any official input from intelligence agencies about a threat on Delhi-Kabul flights. But checks are on,” Rao said.

Indian Airlines flight IC 814 was hijacked by terrorists in 1999, who took it to Kandahar in Afghanistan, and demanded the release of three terrorists from Indian prisons in return for the passengers.

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