Ahmedabad airport on terror radar, says IB alert

Security at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has been stepped up after the airport was put on high alert following an input by the Central Intelligence Bureau about a possible terror attack. The input has been issued by the intelligence bureau for seven airports in the country, including Ahmedabad. The other airports include Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Guwahati.

As per agency reports, the alert based on intercepts also warns of possible plane hijack from small airstrips apart from use of explosives. However, city airport sources said they were not aware of any such alert. Despite repeated
attempts, airport director, RK Singh, could not be contacted for his comments.

Meanwhile, CISF officials at the city airport said that security has been beefed up following the alert. But CISF Commandant, Ajay Dahiya refused to confirm or deny the alert, when contacted stating that he was not authorised to talk on the matter.

The city police are also gearing up to prevent any untoward incident. "After receiving the alert, we have already beefed up security measures outside the airport. Sardarnagar police has already started vehicle checking on the roads going in and out of the airport premises. A unit of Bomb Disposal Squad has been asked to remain present at the airport to avert any unwarranted situation" said SG Bhati, Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP) sector -2.

Intel sources in Delhi, however, played down the alert stating that it was part of the generic alert issued across the country following the Bodh Gaya blast and has now been extended to covered airports too.  (With agencies)