'We need the sketches of 11/7 suspects'

Airport Security Group says it can't help in the investigations without sketches of the suspects.

The Airport Security Group (ASG) wants to help investigations into the 11/7 bombings, but it cannot. Investigating agencies have still not provided it with the sketches of the suspects.

It was widely believed that some perpetrators of the blasts had sneaked out of the city through the airport. The ASG can help be poring over the footage recorded at the domestic and international airports. However, with over 600 hours of footage every day, looking for suspects without the sketches was like like searching for a needle in the haystack.

"It's impossible to go through all the security footage without any idea of what we are looking for," said an official. "We have no inputs or any specific information on the perpetrators. Once the investigating agencies furnish us with inputs, we will take up the required task," said Sanjay Prakash, senior commandant of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

The ASG is still carrying out routine security checks and frisking passengers without actually undertaking any "targeted measures" or a sustained effort to collect leads to help agencies take forward the investigation. Meanwhile, an integrated policing system has been established at the airport to combat terror threats.

The group consisted of members from Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Mumbai police, security officials said.  "The group will start working from Friday," said DB Sidam, senior inspector of airport police station.