Somali threat puts airports in country on high alert

Mumbai: A week before India celebrates its Republic Day, security agencies in Mumbai and other airports in the country have been put on high alert following an intelligence input from the Bureau of Civil Aviation (BCAS).
Somali terror groups like al Shabaab and al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) will use India as a transit point to go to the US and Europe, and launch terror attacks there, the alert said.
Airport authorities and airlines have been instructed to beef up security, especially on flights originating to and from the Gulf.
According to a recent circular issued by the BCAS, several Somali nationals with ties to al Shabaab have been attempting to travel to the US from Yemen with genuine passports and fake US visas during the holiday season.
“There is a possibility that such activity could originate in or transit through India,” the alert stated.
It further mentioned that the terrorists are more interested in planning aviation attacks in the US, Europe and other countries outside Yemen.
“They are looking for creative ways to smuggle explosives to further their plans,” according to the alert.
18/01/11 Naveeta Singh/Daily News & Analysis

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Categories: Airports Jan 2011, Safety Jan 2011