High alert at Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai airports

New Delhi :  Security at international airports in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai was put on maximum alert Sunday after the state police forces and the CISF were informed of a possible aircraft hijack attempt.

 

The security protocols at these civilian air facilities was increased to the level that is done on the Republic Day and the Independence Day and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which guards the airports, and the police were taking special measures.

Mumbai police Saturday night received an e-mail, purportedly sent by a Hyderabad-based woman. She claimed she overheard six men telling each other that ‘‘all 23 people have to split from here and board flights in three cities and hijack planes’’.

CISF director general OP Singh told reporters that the security apparatus at these airports has been put on ‘‘an enhanced alert and protocols have been stepped up’’.

‘‘The e-mail could eventually turn out be a hoax but till investigations conclude all security drills to thwart a hijack like scenario are being carried out at the three airports,’’ he said.

 

‘‘The unidentified woman wrote in the e-mail that what she heard could be ‘‘true or not’’ but she chose to inform the authorities as she felt it was her duty to do so as a citizen,’’ a senior officer said.