After terror threat,BCAS issues security guidelines to airlines

“We have instructed airlines to ensure that passengers are thoroughly frisked before they board the aircraft. We have also told them to beef up the security. With other security agencies on high alert,we need airlines to be on the guard as well,” said the source.

He added,“Usually,ladder checks do not take place if there is no alert. We have told airlines to start the ladder checking again. Depending on the situation,the checking will be either random based on suspicion or for everyone in general.”

The BCAS has also reportedly asked for thorough background checks to be done on people before they are hired. “These are just security measures we are taking. The threat which is looming over the airport has to be contained and we cannot take any chances,” the source said.

The spokesperson of an airline confirmed the development and said,“We have been asked to step up the security and we are doing that.”

Meanwhile,the new X-ray baggage inspection system,which have been placed outside the departure terminals to check baggage at the first entry point,is still used selectively. The security officers said it is not possible to check all the bags and that they check the baggage of only those passengers who seem suspicious.

The concourse plan which states that everyone must be checked at the airport terminal is not in place. Security agencies have opted for a security hold plan,which means that passengers and their baggages are checked thoroughly only after a person enters the security hold area and not at the entry terminal.

“We cannot check baggage of every person coming to the airport as it would result in chaos. Random profiling is done. Suspicious looking persons are told to place their bags in the baggage inspection system at the entry terminal itself. The others are checked inside the security hold area,” said a CISF source.

“If everyone’s bags are checked outside the entry terminal,it would result in long queues. Our checkings are strict and we do not want a situation where some miscreant takes advantage of long queues outside the terminal,” the officer said.

The guideline to randomly profile passengers was sent by the BCAS earlier this year. In August this year,the CSIA had become the first Indian airport to implement the system. A MIAL spokesperson said seven baggage inspection systems,four explosive trace detectors and 14 metal hand detectors have been commissioned across the domestic and international terminals.