Airports beef up security as R-Day draws near

Southern airports, Patna airport under surveillance

BY A CORRESPONDENT
JANUARY 24 2006

The security wing of the Bureau of civil aviation has given red alert to the south Indian airports, following intelligence reports from the central intelligence agencies.

Some important airports in the southern region are likely to be targeted by terrorist organisations during the Republic Day celebrations, according to intelligence reports.

Security has been tightened at Cochin, Kozhikode, Chennai and Bangalore airports. Dog squads and bomb squads are deployed at these airports. Combing operations will be held in and around the airports till the Republic Day celebrations are over.

Information about those who stay at the nearby hotels, contract workers and labourers in airports are being collected by the police. Outside the airports, surveillance will be done by the Central Industrial Security Office.(CISF)

Special surveillance will be arranged at the airport approach areas too.

Meanwhile, reports emanating from Patna said that airport security at the state capital's airport has also been tightened. An alert has been issued for the entire state. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Saturday that the police is taking all precautions to thwart any terrorist attack. State government officials said that the alert was issued after intimation from the Union ministry of home affairs.