4 airports on alert after bomb scare
NEW DELHI: An alleged ‘fake call’ by a woman about a potential security threat at Lucknow airport has forced a security alert at four airports across India for the last 10 days.
An FIR has been registered against the woman. The first call was received on December 11 at Lucknow airport following which back to back calls were received at the Hyderabad office of Oman Air giving the same information.
During investigation, police called the woman back and she admitted that she wanted the passenger caught. Police however, haven’t approached the passenger yet due to lack of evidence.
Both police and airport security at Lucknow, Hyderabad, Delhi and Mumbai airports are on alert till December 24, when the passenger is scheduled to travel back to Jeddah.
“We have registered an FIR against the woman since she has admitted to making the call to get the passenger into trouble. However, we are still checking her credentials and the passenger’s background is also being checked. Security has been beefed up and we are not taking any chances. We are waiting for the passenger to check in on December 24. No arrest has been made yet,” said Akhilesh Dwivedi, the investigating officer.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which manages security at 59 airports across the country, is on high alert till December 24 after receiving these calls. Passengers are being randomly checked with hand-held explosive trace detectors at Lucknow, Hyderabad and sensitive airports like Delhi and Mumbai following the calls.