Terrorists may attempt to simultaneously highjack flights departing from Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad airports on Sunday, according to specific information received by airport security agencies, the Times of India reported on Sunday. All three airports have been put on high alert.
"There was an email from an unknown female from Hyderabad to the Mumbai police, saying that a group of 23 people were going to hijack aircraft from different airports — Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai. Special airport security committee meetings were held at airports and all concerned have been alerted for strengthening preventive measures outlined by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security," a senior civil aviation ministry official told Business Standard.
"There was an email from an unknown female from Hyderabad to the Mumbai police, saying that a group of 23 people were going to hijack aircraft from different airports — Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai. Special airport security committee meetings were held at airports and all concerned have been alerted for strengthening preventive measures outlined by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security," a senior civil aviation ministry official told Business Standard.
Furthermore, according to India Today, Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport has also received a bomb threat.
The national daily quoted a source as saying: "An email was sent by a woman who overheard 6 boys discussing a plan to simultaneously carry out hijacks from Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad airports... A total of 23 people will be involved in the 3 hijacks which have been planned for Sunday."
According to the report, O P Singh, director-general of the Central Industrial Security Force, has confirmed that these airports have been put on high alert.