SRINAGAR, JAN 8: Calling yesterday's attempted attack at the Srinagar airport as a major bluff, Srinagar police today strongly rebutted Lashker-e-Toiba's claim that it had threatened the high security installation. They even recovered the Tata Sumo, found abandoned at Hyderpora, five km from the airport.Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range), A.K. Bhan, said the militant outfit's claim of attack was baseless and far off the mark. Describing the news as mere goof-up, Bhan said it was just another snatching of vehicle case. ``We have investigated the whole thing and we should not read anything more beyond the forcible snatching,'' he said.Bhan's claims were echoed by IG (CRPF), P.C. Joshi, who said there was no substance in the Lashkar's ``attempted bid'' as no jawan from his force posted at gate 1 recalled of having seen the Tata Sumo bearing the number JK01D 7464. ``Hundreds of vehicle pass through the gate after being thoroughly frisked. A good number of Sumo also cross the gate daily,'' he said.K Rajendra, Deputy IG, Kashmir Range, said he personally went to the spot and inquired from the CRPF jawans, manning Gate 1, about the incident. ``They told me nothing had happened. Even the traffic police told me that they had noticed nothing suspicious. It seems the Lashkar was seeking publicity,'' he said.On whether the Sumo had moved towards the high security installation, Rajendra said: ``Our investigations have revealed that the vehicle was snatched by two militants who later took it to Hyderpora where three more joined them. Whether they moved towards the airport or not was not certain.''Following yesterday's ``abortive bid'', police sources said security had been beefed up at vital installations. and also at the Srinagar airport, Radio Station, Doordarshan and all telecommunication offices here. The frequency of police patrol too had been increased. Frisking and searches at and inside the airport had also been intensified. Passengers were being frisked at five places from the main gate to the tarmac.
