Hijack alert: Brace for high security at Mumbai, Chennai and Hyd airports

Security protocols at these airports have been increased to the level seen on Republic Day

If you are taking a flight from Mumbai, Hyderabad or Chennai on Sunday, you may have to face increased security checks due to the hijack threat received by airport authorities. 

Security at international airports in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai have been put on maximum alert after the state police forces and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) were informed about a possible aircraft hijack attempt. 

The security protocols at these civilian air facilities have been increased to the level that is done on the Republic Day and the Independence Day. The CISF, which guards the airports, and the police are reportedly taking special measures.

Pre-embarkation and ladder checks at all three airports

Special anti-sabotage sweeps are being carried out at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Chennai International Airport and Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport since early Sunday morning. Security agencies, including the CISF, have been carrying out proper passenger checks, baggage scanning, pre-embarkation checks, secondary ladder point checking and patrols to thwart any hijack attempt at all these airports. 

Security personnel stand guard at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport after a hijack threat was received. Photo: ANI

 

The CISF has also pressed into service its sniffer dog squads and quick reaction commando teams for undertaking sanitisation drills at the airports, the officials said, even as the airlines have been asked to remain extra vigilant. 

"However, there is no reason to panic and all the operations at these airports will be conducted as normally as possible so that passengers don't face any problem," a senior officer, who is part of airports security team, said. 

At the Chennai airport, security has been strengthened at the domestic and international airports. However, flight traffic is unaffected by the enhanced security measures, officials said in Chennai. 

Security has also been beefed up at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad, situated on Hyderabad's outskirts, as agencies responsible for different layers of security have been put on alert. The police has also beefed up security at the main entry points to the airport area from the Bengaluru and Srisailam highways. All vehicles are being thoroughly checked.

The CISF has deployed additional personnel in and around the terminal.

Other airports in the country have also been sanitised and officials asked to remain vigilant, the CISF DG said. 

Email tips off agencies

Officials said a high alert has been issued to the three facilities after Mumbai Police received an e-mail last night from a woman living there.

The e-mail mentions that the woman overheard six boys talking about a possible aircraft hijack attempt at these facilities, they said. 

The Mumbai Police shared the e-mail with all security and intelligence agencies. 

"There was an email from an unknown female from Hyderabad to the Mumbai police, saying that a group of 23 people were going to hijack aircraft from different airports — Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai. Special airport security committee meetings were held at airports and all concerned have been alerted for strengthening preventive measures outlined by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security," a senior civil aviation ministry official told Business Standard.