Indian airports put on alert after hijack threat (Roundup)

NEW DELHI - Security was tightened at airports across India Friday and sky marshals ordered on flights after intelligence reports that terror groups may target an Indian flight, especially one bound for or returning from another South Asian country.

“As far as the ministry is concerned, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has issued a high-alert advisory to all carriers and airports across the country,” a spokesperson for the civil aviation ministry said.

“This requires security agencies, airlines and airport authorities to adopt the entire drill that is already specified for hijack alerts,” the spokesperson told IANS, adding that sky marshals on planes and multi-point frisking were part of the drill.

Sources in the aviation security agency said an alert has already been sounded in view of Republic Day celebrations next week. Security has been enhanced after reports of a possible hijack of a flight from or going to a South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) country.

Air India spokesperson Jitender Bhargava said the intelligence reports were being looked into. “We are looking into the intelligence inputs. We are taking action accordingly,” Bhargava told IANS.

Official sources confirmed that action has already been taken on the red alert, with paramilitary forces deployed at all airports, especially in the north-east, and army units near the airports asked to stand by.

With this specific threat now, all the passengers of flights going to SAARC countries have to go through secondary ladder point checking just before embarkation, a home ministry official said. Currently this procedure is followed for passengers to the US.

Besides India, the SAARC countries comprise Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

There will also be deployment of sky marshals on specified flights. Stepladder frisking is being done as a precaution and all efforts are being made to ensure the safety and security of passengers, the home ministry official added.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), responsible for the security at airports across the country, has also been asked to keep a closer vigil on passengers at the security hold area, especially those travelling with the national carrier.

Last week, the home ministry asked seven states — Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi — to remain alert to prevent any possible terrorist attack.

The civil aviation ministry has also advised all states to beef up security at vital installations, while the home ministry has asked them to take special measures to protect VIPs and other distinguished people at airports.

The government regularly issues advisory to states, especially before Republic Day, Independence Day and major religious festivals, to remain on alert and take measures to thwart attempts of militant organisations and Maoists.

The threat to state-run carrier Air India is always higher compared to private airlines, officials said.