Nepal pledges better safety in wake of IA hijack trauma

Kathmandu: Recovering from the trauma of the sensational hijack of an Indian Airlines aircraft 10 years ago, Nepal’s civil aviation authorities say they have learnt from the past experience and strengthened security measures at the country’s only international airport.
The hijacking had ended with the brutal killing of a passenger and the release of three Islamic terrorists by India in exchange for the safe release of the remaining passengers.
“We regret the incident 10 years ago,” said Dinesh Prasad Shrestha, general manager at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. “We have learnt from it and today, security measures have been enhanced at the airport to prevent a repetition.”
According to the official, Nepal Police are now entrusted with security measures inside the airport while Nepali Army looks after security on the periphery of the airport.
Security provisions at the former sleepy airport have been beefed up in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation guidelines that include X-raying of baggage at the antry point and body searches of passengers.
For additional security, the airport has also introduced random checks of hand baggage for 50 percent of outgoing passengers while it is enforced for the remaining 50 percent.
In addition, passengers bound for India, Pakistan and the Middle East states are thoroughly examined, which includes their hand baggage.
23/12/09 Sudeshna Sarkar/IANS/Thaindian.com, Thailand

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Categories: Airports Dec 2009, Foreign Dec 2009, Safety Dec 2009