Mumbai, February 23: All airports across the country put on a high alert after Air India's Mumbai control centre received a phone call threatening to hijack its plane. Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) ordered all airlines and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to follow specific enhanced measures to ensure security to avoid any untoward incident. Drunk Flyer on Jet Airways Mumbai-Kolkata Flight Offloaded For Unruly Behaviour.

BCAS in a note on February 23 stated, "A telephonic message received by the station duty office, AI (Air India) AOCC (Airport Operation Control Centre) Mumbai, stating information regarding a threat to Indian Airlines flight getting hijacked to Pakistan on 23.2.2019.” The note further added that Airport Security Unit (ASU)/ Aviation Security Group (ASG) and all aircraft operators should adopt the following (eight) measures with immediate effect. Air India Passenger Strips Mid-Air on Flight Returning From Dubai, Deboarded in Lucknow; Watch Video.

Both APSU and ASG are part of the Central Industrial Security Force. Indian Airlines is a part of Air India.

According to note, the measures to be followed are:

  • Strict access control to regulate entry to terminal building, airside, all operational area and other aviation facilities.

  • Intensive checking of vehicles entering car parking area to preclude possibility of car bomb attacks.

  • Enhanced screening of passengers, staff and visitors including enhanced random screening at the main gate.

  • Enhanced screening and protection of hold baggage, cargo, cargo terminal, catering, mails, etc.

  • Surveillance through CCTV cameras as well as manual surveillance in and around the terminal building and operational areas.

  • Quick reaction team and perimeter patrolling to be strengthened.

  • Manning of all cargo gates and vehicle entry gates will be strengthened with strong-armed support.

  • Any other security measures based on local intelligence inputs.

The Parliament passed Anti-Hijacking (Amendment) Bill in 2014 in order to lay down new protocol to deal with the hijacking of an airplane. In a statement on December 3, 2014, the central government said, “The Bill provides death punishment for the offence of hijacking, where such offence results in the death of a hostage or of a security personnel; or with imprisonment for life and the moveable and immoveable property of such persons shall also be liable to be confiscated.”

Last year in October, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) detained four passengers fro Air India flight at Jodhpur airport after they approached the cockpit. The incident took place in Delhi-Jodhpur flight. The accused also used objectionable language. An investigation is being carried out in the matter.

(With inputs from PTI)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 23, 2019 05:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).