Fresh inputs of threat to airports, security beefed up

Security at all major airports across the country was beefed up on Thursday with fresh intelligence inputs suggesting terror strikes and attempts to hijack aircraft.

Confirming that an advisory has been issued to all functional airports to step up security, official sources said fresh inputs had been received that terrorists could attempt to strike at airports or aircraft. They, however, described the exercise as "routine" saying all the airports have been put on high alert since the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.

They said the latest inputs spoke of a group of trained men and women attackers which could carry out a raid on aviation facilities. A meeting of senior officials of several agencies concerned, including the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and the Home Ministry, was held on Wednesday following which the advisory was issued.

The different layers of the security and safety mechanism at airports as well as in the airspace were being assessed in the wake of these inputs, the sources said. All major airports have been on high alert and extra vigil mounted for several weeks now, with additional CISF and police personnel, including plainclothes,  deployed to keep an eye in and around the terminals. Sky Marshals were also being deployed inside aircraft on sensitive routes.