Security at Srinagar airport to go hi-tech

Security at Srinagar airport to go hi-tech
NAZIR MASOODI

SRINAGAR, JAN 22: Srinagar airport is being equipped with modern security gadgets to thwart attacks by militants on the vital installation.

Close-circuit television (CCT) cameras will be installed within a week to monitor movement in and around the airport. New X-ray machines are being put up, especially at the main entrance gate.

Officials said the decision was taken at a meeting on airport security presided over by Chaman Lal Gupta, Union Minister of State for CivilAviation, Director, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, and Director, Airports. A six-member Lashkar-e-Toiba suicide squad had tried to storm the airport on January 16. The X-ray machine at the entrance was later found damaged.

Officials said that CCT cameras will help minimise the chances of an organised attack on the airport. The cameras will be installed at various points and connected to a control room.

The Srinagar airport has been on the hitlist since December 13 or the 17th day of Ramazan (the day when Islam fought its first battle against the infidels at Badar 1,400 years ago). Police and security agencies had received intercepts that militants belonging to the Al-Badar, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad outfits might strike at various security installations, including the airport, on that day.

Though no attack was reported on that day, the Lashkar-e-Toiba claimed on January 7 that its suicide squad had successfully stormed the airport. Militants in police uniform had attempted to sneak in but were stopped by CRPF soldiers at the airport gate.

Though police termed the Lashkar claim as bogus, the vehicle used in the attempt was snatched by the militants from Lal Chowk and found abandoned at By-Pass.

Police and security forces had information about the militants' plan to attack Srinagar airport more than a month in advance and had intensified their vigil around the airport.

The security set-up was unnerved when police were informed that tripods had been fitted in the airport on December 12. A senior police officer said that nothing was found after after searches.

Officials said that besides the threat of attacks, there are clear indications of the presence of militants in areas around the airport. Apart from the January 16 Lahkar attack, there have been four encounters between militants and security forces in the last six months. Twelve militants were killed. The last encounter was reported on January 18 at Shalinar, close to the airport.

The Indian Air Force uses the Srinagar airport for its operations. Security outside the airport is the responsibilty of the Army and the CRPF. The CRPF keeps a close watch on all kinds of movement in and around the airport from watch towers encircling the installation.

AMRITSAR: Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Chaman Lal Gupta today directed officials to beef up security at the Raja Sansi international airport. The directive was given at a meeting of security agencies and officials of the Airport Authority of India (AAI). The airport witnessed the Indian Airlines IC-814 hijack in 1999. It is considered sensitive because of its proximity to Lahore.

(UNI)