Security beefed up at Chennai airport amid Indo-Pak tensions, no visitors allowed

A seven-tier security arrangement is in place and instructions have been issued to airport authorities to conduct thorough checks.
Security beefed up at Chennai airport amid Indo-Pak tensions, no visitors allowed
Security beefed up at Chennai airport amid Indo-Pak tensions, no visitors allowed
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Amidst tensions between India and Pakistan over the Pulwama terror attack in February and its aftermath, security has been beefed up at the Chennai airport. While visitors are not allowed at the airport, instructions have also been issued to airport authorities to conduct thorough checks.

According to a report in the Deccan Chronicle, a red alert was issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to international airports across the country, including the Chennai airport. This notification involves a seven-tier security arrangement which includes thorough and proper screening of all passengers entering the airport. Areas around the airport would also be closely watched.

“In view of the intelligence input in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack and subsequent developments, it is imperative to enhance the existing security measures being taken at all the civil aviation installations like airports, airstrips, airfields, air force stations, helipads, flying schools, aviation training institutes so that no untoward incident takes place,” the newspaper quoted the notification as stating.

The Chennai airport confirmed on Sunday that visitor entry had, in fact, been banned at the airport. “Visitors aren't allowed in view of high security alert issued by higher authority (sic) across all airports in India. Inconvenience is regretted,” stated the airport, in response to a tweet from a user. As per the central government notification, the security monitoring procedures are likely to include random checks at the entry to terminal buildings and the deployment of bomb detection and disposal as well as dog squads at entrances.

Other directions to airports include intensive vehicle checks in the car park, no parking of vehicles in front of terminal buildings, enhanced screening of persons including passengers and staff as well as hand baggage. This would be in addition to ‘strengthening of anti-terrorism measures’ as well as deployment of swift response teams at the airports.

The escalation of tension between India and Pakistan comes after the Indian Air Force carried out air strikes across the Line of Control on terror camps belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammed, which had claimed responsibility for the attack in Pulwama on February 14 that killed over 40 CRPF personnel.

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