Kolkata: Airports across the country were put on high alert after a hijack threat was made by an anonymous caller to the Air India office in Kolkata on Saturday. "Air India biman hijack kora hobe (Air India aircraft will be hijacked)," a male voice spoke in Bengali, triggering a security shake-up that included putting armed marshals on some flights.
Kolkata Police's Special Task Force and detective department are jointly trying to track down the caller. Security agencies are taking it very seriously as the threat has come at a time of heightened tension — Kolkata port was on alert in November last year and only two days ago, a suspicious vessel from Pakistan blew up after being challenged by the Coast Guard in the Arabian Sea.
According to airport sources, the call came at AI's city booking office on Central Avenue at 5.42pm, sparking a series of phone calls up the chain as senior airport officials and the home ministry were alerted. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) immediately ordered airports across the country to strengthen security. The National Security Guard is being kept in the loop and sky marshals have been deployed on aircraft.
04/01/15 Times of India
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Kolkata Police's Special Task Force and detective department are jointly trying to track down the caller. Security agencies are taking it very seriously as the threat has come at a time of heightened tension — Kolkata port was on alert in November last year and only two days ago, a suspicious vessel from Pakistan blew up after being challenged by the Coast Guard in the Arabian Sea.
According to airport sources, the call came at AI's city booking office on Central Avenue at 5.42pm, sparking a series of phone calls up the chain as senior airport officials and the home ministry were alerted. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) immediately ordered airports across the country to strengthen security. The National Security Guard is being kept in the loop and sky marshals have been deployed on aircraft.
04/01/15 Times of India
