Terror alert: Defence establishments, airport security beefed up in city

Threat alerts given by intelligence sources have prompted authorities to beef up security at major defence installations in the city and Lohegaon airport.

A statement released by defence public relations officer on Monday stated that security will remain enhanced at these places during the festival season.

Defence authorities will be carrying out random identity checks of civilians and military personnel who will be travelling through defence areas, including Pune cantonment.

However, the defence statement made it clear that army personnel will not be carrying out actions like checking of vehicle documents, wearing of helmets and driving within speed limit etc.

According to the Lohegaon airport officials, all the major airports in the country are being put on high alert after receiving specific intelligence that militants may use female suicide bombers to carry out attacks at London’s Heathrow airport.

A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer said, “As Pune civil airport shares the runway with the Indian Air Force’s Pune airbase, it is hyper sensitive. Hence, we have beefed up the security at the airport. Profiling of every passenger is being carried out and four quick response teams have been deployed at the airport.”