CISF to guard Safdarjung airport soon
After conducting an audit of Safdarjung airport, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will take over the security of the area after receiving the formal order by next month. Over 100 personnel will be required to cover the airport, operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The presence of government houses inside the airport complex and lack of equipment are the few security concerns observed by the force. “We have completed the security audit of the area and have made few observations. There are no equipments there and once we get the baggage scanner and door frame and hand held metal detectors, we will take over the airport,” said a CISF official.
The Indian Reserve Batallion is currently responsible for the security of the airport, while the CISF guards airports across the country.
There were security concerns as the airfield is accessible from the INA flyover and some VVIP chopper movements take place from here. “We will put of tower and post armed personnel there to check on any intrusion. The security should be at par with any other international airport,” the official added.
The airport also houses the hangar for the Mi-17 series of choppers of the Border Security Force (BSF).
The ministry of home affairs (MHA) had ordered a security audit of about 100 airfields, which are not properly secured and could be used to launch an air strike.
“The concern was that an unmanned airfield can be used to fly a plane and use it for 9/11 type terror attack. We will need extra personnel to secure all the airfields but to start with, the audit of Safdarjung has been completed and we are ready to take it over,” the official added.
He also said that apart from watch towers, there will be patrol vehicles of armed security personnel, explosive vapour detectors and quick reaction teams. There will be a control room and an anti-hijacking squad to respond to any emergency.
Out of the total 98 functional airports in the country, 59 are under CISF cover, leaving out 39.