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The scare followed a passenger claiming to have heard sound of two gunshots firing at around 1.15 am near gate no 4, but there was no eyewitness, Udayan Banerjee, Commissioner of Security for Airports (COSA) said.
However, the airport was already on a high alert following intelligence warning that there could be a terror attack or a hijack ahead of the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary on.
The Quick Reaction Team (QRT) of the CISF swung into action alongwith Delhi Police immediately after the reported incident.
"We received a call that some passengers heard a sound similar to two gunshots, but there were no eyewitnesses. No evidence has so far come up to suggest that it was a firing and we cannot confirm it as a gunshot," Banerjee said.
"After the sound, the CISF and Delhi Police swung into action and intensified the checking at the airport," he said.
The area outside departure terminal was completely cordoned off with AK 47 and INSAS rifle toting CISF and Delhi Police commandos taking control of the entire premises.
Banerjee said, while the checking was going on, a white colour Qualis car jumped the queue and sped away adding to the confusion.
Police gypsy chased the car, but lost it after some time, he added.
When asked whether the number plate was noticed, Banerjee said, "We are not really sure about the number plate but I was told it was an HR (Haryana) registration vehicle." While the car sped away, the Delhi Police and the Haryana Police have been alerted for a lookout of the white vehicle.
According to the police, no bullet shells were recovered during the combing operation and neither any bullet mark found in the airport area.
Meanwhile, movement at the airport, including the flight operations were put on hold for nearly 45 minutes, he said adding it was resumed there after.
The normal rush at the airport continued with the passengers movement on the airport going smooth, an airport official said.
According to initial reports, the entire incident could have been a part of the mock drill to check the security preparedness at the airport.
However, the security has been beefed up at the airport with the deployment of additional security personnels.
Senior CISF officials have also arrived at the scene to take stock of the situation.
CISF officials said all preventive measures have been taken and a security drill has been put in place.
Airports across the country have been put on high alert in the wake of intelligence reports that terrorists from Pakistan or Afghanistan may strike using a hijacked aircraft even as the Indian Air Force said it was ready to counter a 9/11-type aerial attack on New York.
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Airport authority has advised to air passengers to report airport well in advance for checking and travel with least goods. Media is also supporting the stand taken by airport authorities in view of threat posed by terrorists.I would like to say there That number of passengers traveling by train is at least 100 times more than that in planes, That number of passengers traveling by bus is far more.That revenues earned by railways are far more than earned by AirlinesThat railway is earning profit whereas Airlines are incurring loss.That expense on security of air travelers is at least hundred times more than that for train or bus travelers. Still they ask the passengers for traveling with minimum luggage.What will happen when next terror attack is striked on train or metro train? Terror attack on train in near future is possible because government has sounded triple high alert in and around Airports in India keeping trains and railways at the mercy of God.
This whole thing is hilarious. Two eyewitnesses came on TV channels
Will GOI stop all Sumjawta trains, buses, trade and cultural ties with Pakistan and come to the reality that Pakistan, ISI and it's army are never to be trusted. Will the organisers of Sa Re Gama Pa, VOI 2 and Bollywood break all contacts with Pakistan please. How many of the artists are spies one cannot imagine. Therefore stop all ties with Pakistan however simple, cultural and inoccous they may appear. All Pakistani are spies unless and otherwise proved at this time of history
They could l Attack on 6 december for our hindu extremists blunder of babri mosque.That blunder by BJP, RSS and shiv Sena only divided India and Let Pakistani and Bangladeshis justified there independence from British India.I am tottaly agreed with "P K Dutta" comments
i think P.K.Dutta is foolish person and name also suggesting P.K.(Pk tight)i don`t know why do he connecting babari masjid demolition and mumbai terror attack what did happened in Afganistan about Budda statue
We have high alert at the top airport of the country, a vehical jump the queue and speed away, and security forces are not able to catch the vehical. sound great. I am proud of our security forces preparedness. great job guys, keep it up. WHY WE CAN NOT TELL THESE JOKERS TO GO HOME, IF THEY CAN NOT LEARN TO DO THEIR JOB.
Indeed it was a very serious blunder to have destroyed an old historical masjid. This gave kind of reason to the other fundamentalists to justify revenge and our India is facing terrible consequences. Who did lead that Babri Masjid demolition drive? Not the Ayodha citizen, I presume.
We Indians are facing the consequences of religious hatred perpetrated by political parties in India. Our Govt. fails when they can not take any action against such parties/people resulting Bombay like incidences.
We will not left Taj mahal, Shahi Mosque and all muslim places.We will wipe out all of them in a decade or two.They are a symbol of Hindu slavery against muslim who ruled us more then 1000 year.Pakistani and Bangladeshi muslim were lucky but we wil not left the one who wre living here.
Hope it is not a dry run by the terrorists. Again, we have not been able to chase and catch the vehicle or get its registration number in full. When will the cops wake up?