NEW DELHI, 13 November 2006 — Indian airports are on a “high security alert” for the second time in less than a week. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) issued an alert yesterday to airports all over the country following a threat of “hijacking” of United States-bound flights. The order would be effective for a week, a BCAS official said.
“The alert was sounded after the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) informed the BCAS of an e-mail warning of hijacking of US-bound flights emanating from India,” he said. Along with alert orders, BCAS passed on this information to airport directors and security agencies involved in airport security.
“The e-mail, sent by unknown entities and originating from an Indian ‘address,’ was received by the FBI yesterday (Saturday) at its US headquarters,” the official said. The nature of threat mentioned in the e-mail was “hijacking,” with US-bound flights being the target, he said.
With the e-mail sent to the FBI, Indian authorities are taking the threat seriously. “It is not easy to know e-mail addresses of FBI personnel. We suspect that someone highly trained would be involved in sending the message,” the official said. “We want to know who were the people behind the threat e-mail before reaching a conclusion,” he added.
Security measures include keeping a close watch also on airline staff. “All their baggage and vehicles are being thoroughly checked before they are allowed inside, he said.
Besides, air marshals and air commandoes were on high alert. Passengers are to report much earlier than usual for boarding and security check procedures. The airport staff had been asked to recheck the baggage of passengers before they board the plane. “Spotters” have also been deployed to identify suspicious people in the airports.
This is the second time in a week that airports across the nation have been put on a “high security alert.”
