Extra checks before August 15 to prevent terror attacks at Delhi’s IGI airport

The CISF, tasked with the security of Delhi’s IGI airport, has started this measure as part of security measures ahead of Independence Day. A senior office from the CISF said that the force can randomly select passengers and ask them to remove their shoes, belts or other heavy items of clothing.

If you’re flying out from the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) before this Independence Day, make sure you reach the airport well before time as security forces may ask you to take off your shoes, belts and jackets for random screening, a senior officer said.

CISF officials said the force started extra checks at Delhi’s IGI airport as part of its security measures ahead of Independence Day. (PTI File Photo)

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), tasked with the security of Delhi’s IGI airport, has started this measure as part of security measures ahead of Independence Day. A senior office from the CISF said that the force can randomly select passengers and ask them to remove their shoes, belts or other heavy items of clothing. The stringent frisking procedure has been put in place after alerts were received about security threats. Any suspicious-looking person may be stopped for a detailed frisking, the officer said. The exercise, started last week, is expected to continue up to August 15.

“This is based entirely on profiling. CISF personnel may randomly pick a passenger and asked him/her to take off shoes, belt, jacket or scarf, just to ensure safety. We also request passengers to pre-check the list of banned items in a flight and try to avoid carrying them to save time during security checks,” said an officer from the airport.

The intensified checks may cause delay and overcrowding at terminals. Adequate arrangements to avoid any inconvenience to the flyers have been put in place but no chance can be taken with the security of passengers, the officer added.

A CISF spokesperson said they request all the passengers to cooperate and maintain discipline during security checks.

At the same time, random anti-sabotage checks by the bomb detection and disposal teams and dog squads are also being carried out repeatedly to secure the perimeter. The CISF has also deployed armed plainclothesmen in the terminal buildings to watch for suspicious movement. Airlines have also been asked to carry out checking before final boarding.

“Our Quick Response Teams are keeping a tight watch in the periphery of the terminal buildings and along the approach road. Anti Terror Squad commandos are on alert. Anti-sabotage teams are performing repeated exercises. Additional pickets have also been raised to keep a watch on vehicles entering the airport,” the officer said.