Mumbai airport, 2 others on alert after hijack threat

Security at three major international airports in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai has been stepped up after intelligence againcies were informed about a possible hijack attempt of an aircraft from these facilities.

The high alert was triggered by an email received by Mumbai police on Satuday from a woman in Hyderabad. The mail said that while having lunch at Hyderabad airport, she overheard three men talking about hijacking planes from Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai airports.

Security agencies, including airport officials, immediately swung into action, alerting all agencies to take antihijacking measures. The Mumbai police shared the email with all security and intelligence agencies.

A meeting of all stakeholders was also convened at these airports was and the input was declared specific and actionable, police said.

CISF director-general OP Singh confirmed that the security apparatus at these airports has been put on “an enhanced alert and protocols have been stepped up”.

Special anti-sabotage sweeps are being undertaken at these airports since Sunday morning and security agencies, including the CISF, have enhanced frisking of passengers, baggage scanning, preembarkation checks and patrols in the vicinity of the airports, they said.