After high alert, mock drill conducted at airport

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 13

A day after a high alert was sounded at the Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport, security agencies conducted a mock drill on the airport premises today.

The authorities had yesterday received an alert from the Union government that terrorists may target airports in the country. Being a strategically important and sensitive airport, security has been tightened.

According to the airport authorities, a counter terrorist contingency exercise was conducted under the supervision of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Commandant Dharamveer Yadav here today evening.

CISF snipers, quick response team, bomb disposal and dog squads were also pressed into service. The Punjab police participated in the exercise in front of the terminal building.

During the drill, a scene of a terrorist attack was created. During the exercise, three terrorists tried to enter the terminal building and all were successfully neutralised by the CISF snipers. Later, the bomb squad team successfully diffused the bomb.

Intelligence agencies had received inputs that several Pakistan-based terrorist organisations with the help of the ISI were planning terrorist attacks on Hindu leaders to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in the country.

A police official, who did not wish to be quoted, said security was tightened in and around the airport by the CISF and security agencies. The security cover has also been enhanced on the outer part of the airport.