Elite force to handle aviation security soon

According to sources, though the BCAS wanted to unveil the novel concept onJanuary 18, its foundation day, the presentation was postponed due to thehijack drama and eventual developments at Khandahar.

8220;It was shelved temporarily due to certain technical reasons8230;But theincident underscored the need for having in-flight security personnel aswell as for tightening security at all airports,8221; an official said.

The chinks in the armour were further exposed when two senior BCAS officialswere successful in carrying a gun and grenades on board a domestic flight. This 8220;mock drill8221; sparked panic across the country as it came in the wakeof increasing incidents of militant attacks in Jammu and Kashmir andworsening law and order situation in other parts of the country.

8220;Another factor on which the mock drill8217; threw light was the lack ofaccountability8230;The personnel on duty at airports currently are those drawnfrom other forces, especially the state police, on deputation. quot;We cannotquestion them for lapses as they don8217;t come under us. This not only helpsthe erring persons to go scot-free but leaves us an embarrassed lot,8221; asenior BCAS official said.

Because of this, the BCAS has asked the Central Government to replace theexisting security personnel at airports with men from the Central IndustrialSecurity Force CISF. Five airports, including the NedumabsseryInternational airport, have been handed over to the CISF and the cover wouldbe extended to six other airports soon.

8220;This will only be an ad hoc arrangement till our own special force isready. The CISF itself does not have these many hands and is forced todepute personnel from other para-military forces.8221;

The BCAS is planning its security infrastructure in lines with thoseexisting at international airports like the Heathrow, etc. 8220;It will be atotally unique force trained in all aspects of commando operations andweaponry. They won8217;t be obvious, but an invisible presence.8221;

That the force won8217;t be fighting against an enemy, the training module hastobe stimulated accordingly. Intelligence training will also form part of thecourse. The elite force, it is learnt, will not be in uniform.

8220;And these aspects are being worked out. There will be more than 25,000personnel to man the 120 airports in the country. The men would also beassisted by electronic monitoring mechanisms and equipment,8221; sources said.The BCAS is the policy making and monitoring body in all civil aviationmatters in the country. It is the designated authority by the InternationalCivil Aviation Organisation.