Airports put on red alert

New Delhi: The Union government on Friday ordered further strengthening of security at all airports and deployment of sky marshals on certain flights.
The directive came after intelligence inputs from security agencies and the Ministry of Home Affairs warned of a possibility of terror groups hijacking a flight operating from a South Asian country.
The level of security to counter the threat perception had been upgraded and the agencies in-charge of civil aviation security had taken all necessary steps, including the strengthening of anti-hijacking measures and the introduction of stepladder frisking, said the spokesperson of the Civil Aviation Ministry, which sounded the red alert.
“As per practice, intelligence agencies inform the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on various inputs from time to time. Based on such inputs, the airlines security department, headed by a senior IPS officer, coordinates with various governmental agencies, including the BCAS and the Central Industrial Security Force to take the requisite measures,” the spokesperson said.
Para-military forces have been ordered to be deployed at strategic points at sensitive airports as well as around vital installations.
Air India confirmed it had initiated action at the airports concerned to counter any possible threat.
23/01/10 Vinay Kumar/The Hindu

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Categories: Airports Jan 2010, Safety Jan 2010