HIGH ALERT: Frisking of passengers and baggage has been intensified and additional paramilitary and police personnel deployed, especially in Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai airports

New Delhi, December 4
The security has been tightened at airports in the country following a nationwide alert issued by the ministry of civil aviation to all agencies concerned to augment security arrangements.

“The security of airports and passengers is of primary concern of the civil aviation ministry. We are taking all steps to ensure that,” secretary civil aviation Madavan Nambiar said, urging the electronic media to exercise restraint and not air any reports that may lead to panic among passengers.

Commissioner, civil aviation security (COSCA), R.R.P.N Shahi said after Mumbai attack, the ministry has issued an alert to all international airports to augment existing security arrangements, a step that follows any major terrorist attack.

“Whenever any major terrorist attacks take place, alerts have to be issued. The present alert is the fallout of the November 26 incident in Mumbai. The alert calls for an augmentation of existing security arrangements. Guidelines have been issued to the airlines,” he said.

Talking to mediapersons today, he said: “Security at the airports is a 24X7 affair. Because of Mumbai attacks, it has been reinforced. There is a perceptible threat. Airports are a vulnerable point”.

Chennai, Bangalore and Delhi have been on a heightened state of security alert for the past two days. Passengers have been advised to reach the terminals early for security checks. Frisking of passengers and baggage has been intensified and additional paramilitary and police personnel have been deployed.

At Delhi airport, security was noticeably higher today with a visible presence of security personnel at terminals. The authorities have deployed additional contingents of the CISF and the police around the airport.

Sources say intelligence agencies have alerted small airports and air marshals are being sent to sensitive sectors. Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is carrying out checks across the country.

Meanwhile, as the airports were put on high alert, the Air Force said it was prepared to counter a 9/11-type aerial attack.

Air Chief Fali Homi Major said India was well prepared to counter any 9/11 type of attacks through air. “This (report about terrorists carrying out a possible aerial attack) is based on a warning. We are prepared,” he said.

On December 1, the civil aviation ministry held a high-level meeting to review the security arrangements at airports across the country. The meeting was attended by the secretary civil aviation, commissioner of civil aviation security (COSCA), director general of civil aviation (DGCA), IG (airports) CISF, member (operations), airport authority of India (AAI) and senior officials of the ministry.

The meeting reviewed the preparedness of the different layers of mechanism of safety and security in the airports as well as in the airspace. It also identified immediate steps to be taken in case of any emergency situation.