Vehicle spare parts trigger bomb scare at airport

Automobile spare parts coming out of a parcel in form of pipes and wires were mistaken for an explosive device at the Indira Gandhi International airport's cargo terminal on Wednesday morning. Security agencies were alerted and the entire terminal was cordoned. The building could be thrown open for operations only after the bomb squad declared it safe, following hours long drill.

According to senior Central Industrial Security Force officials, it was during the screening of the cargo, that something suspicious was spotted and the security agencies were roped in.

"It was around 7.30 am, one of the security men deployed at the screening machine saw a wired device and thought it to be some kind of explosive device. Taking precautionary measures, he alerted the CISF men deployed there, which in turn informed all other agencies concerned and without any delay the area was cordoned and employees were evacuated," a senior officer said.

A team of officers from Delhi Police, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and Delhi Fire Services also arrived at the spot. "When the Bomb Disposal and Detection Squad scanned the suspicious baggage, it was opened and was found to be non-hazardous. Taking necessary precautionary measures other consignments were also scanned for any threat and the terminal was declared safe after about two hour long drill," the officer added.