New Delhi- Indian airports have been placed on high alert after an intelligence warning on a possible terrorist attempt to hijack an aircraft.
Security agencies have singled out potentially vulnerable airports, including Kabul’s, after a warning that a Delhi-Kabul flight operated by national carrier, Air India, might be targeted, the local media reported on Sunday, quoting official sources.
Security has been tightened at all airports across the country and passengers are being subjected to stringent screenings.
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The alert comes ahead of the country’s Republic Day and a visit to India by U.S. President Barack Obama on Jan. 26.
Obama would be chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, which usually witness heightened security as militants attempt attacks.
Late Saturday, an anonymous telephone call was made to the Air India’s Kolkata office.
The caller, who was reportedly speaking in Bengali, said one of the carrier’s planes would be hijacked.
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Sky marshals were deployed to some regional flights following the call, the Times of India daily reported.
India has not faced any major terrorist attacks since November 2008, When 10 Pakistani gunmen carried out series of coordinated attacks in Mumbai, killing 166 people, among them 26 foreign nationals. (dpa/NAN)
