Security beefed up at Mumbai airport; operations normal

Security has been tightened at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport here today following an alert by central intelligence agencies about a possible terror attack using small aircraft.

"In general, security has been beefed up at the airport, with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) as well as the Mumbai police in charge of the security. Flight operations are normal," an airport spokesperson said.

Though CISF sources confirmed the development, they said there were no Mumbai-specific inputs.

"There is no specific Mumbai-related threat that we are aware of. There are similar alerts at Delhi and Chandigarh airports too. It is a general alert and all operations at the Mumbai airport are normal," a senior CISF commandant told PTI.

Sources in Mumbai police and BACS also confirmed the general alert at the airport. "There are similar alerts at other airports also. It is not a Mumbai-specific threat. Everything is normal," a BCAS source said.

According to reports, the Centre has also advised all states bordering Maharashtra, including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Goa to be on alert to foil any terror attack on Mumbai airport.

The Centre has asked the police chiefs of these states to put small aircraft and private helicopters under strict vigil and keep unused airstrips and private helipads under a close watch.