As tensions are rife between India and Pakistan due to the recent Pulwama terror attack, airports across India have been put on high alert. Press Trust of India reported that on Saturday Air India's Mumbai control centre received a phone call threatening to hijack its plane, following which Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) ordered all airlines and CISF to follow specific enhanced measures to ensure security.
The station duty office of Air India received a telephonic message stating information regarding threat to an Indian airlines flight getting hijacked to Pakistan. Following this suspicious message, Airport Security Unit and all aircraft operators were asked to adopt the following stringent security measures:
1) Strict access control to regulate entry to terminal building, airside, all operational area and other aviation facilities.
2) Enhanced screening of passengers, staff and visitors including enhanced random screening at the main gate.
3) Enhanced screening and protection of hold baggage, cargo, cargo terminal, catering, mails, etc.
Photo: BCCL
4) Surveillance through CCTV cameras as well as manual surveillance in and around the terminal building and operational areas.
5) Quick reaction team and perimeter patrolling to be strengthened.
6) Manning of all cargo gates and vehicle entry gates will be strengthened with strong armed support.
7) Any other security measures based on local intelligence inputs.
Given the current situation and crack down on various Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists in Uttar Pradesh and ongoing search operations, security agencies are not taking any such calls lightly. Times of India reported that Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has already tightened its noose around airports.
Photo: BCCL
In 2014 the Parliament laid down a new protocol, the Anti-Hijacking (Amendment) Bill which provides death punishment for the offence of hijacking, where such offence results in the death of a hostage or of a security personnel; or with imprisonment for life and the movable and immovable property of such persons shall also be liable to be confiscated, the government had state in its statement.
On February 14, over forty of CRPF soldiers were blown to smithereens by a 19-year-old JeM suicide bomber named Adil Ahmed Dar. Following this India withdrew the title of ‘Most Favoured Nation’ from Pakistan, people all over India condemned the ghastly attack, the BCCI is also mulling over the idea whether India should play Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup or not.
Meanwhile, ahead of the crucial hearing in the Supreme Court on Article 35A the government has taken stringent measures in Kashmir including deployment of some 12,000 additional paramilitary forces in the valley.
On Friday, the Home Ministry had ordered the deployment of 100 companies of central forces to the valley.