Security stepped up at airports in wake of hijack alert

New Delhi, January 4

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 around all the airports have been strengthened and we have taken all the measures that are required in the wake of the alert from intelligence agencies,” official sources said here today.

All anti-hijacking measures have been put in place, they said, adding that passengers’ checking has also been beefed up at some of the major airports, including Indira Gandhi International Airport here.

The airport staff has been asked to carry out checking of the cabin baggage once the boarding is competed and even the airport staff is being thoroughly checked by the airport security personnel, they said.

Meanwhile, a day after a threat call was received at the city office of the Air India, Special Task Force and detective department of the Kolkata Police launched an investigation.

A special team set up with officials of the STF and detective department was trying to track the number from which the call was made to the national carrier’s city office, a senior police officer said.

“After a complaint was lodged with the police yesterday, STF and detective department have been jointly looking into the case. Security has been tightened in the Air India office,” the officer said.

An Air India spokesman said appropriate security agencies like the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) are looking into the issue.

Meanwhile, security has also been upgraded at NSC Bose International Airport in Kolkata following the threat call.

Security officials at the airport said a ‘Red Alert’ is already on at the airport in view of the coming Republic Day but additional measures have been taken.

Dog squad has been pressed into service in and around the terminal buildings while each and every luggage was manually checked besides the normal scanning.

The officials said policemen were keeping a tab at the airport’s taxi stand and nearby areas.

The call was received at Air India’s city booking office at around 5.40 pm and a complaint was subsequently lodged with the Bowbazar police station. — PTI