Central Industrial Security Force to take over Leh airport security

New Delhi: The security at the strategic Leh airport will be taken over by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Wednesday, said officials.

The airport is among the country’s highest-altitude commercial aerodromes in the newly created Union Territory of Ladakh.

A contingent of about 100 CISF will provide round-the-clock, armed security at the strategically important airport, located at 3,256 metres above sea level, said officials.

The Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), will be the 64th civil airport to be brought under the cover of the CISF. The central forces will also provide perimeter security, frisking and security checks along with immigration officials and local police.

Ladakh became a UT on October 31 last year after the central government withdrew the special status given to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. CISF director general Rajesh Ranjan and senior officials of the AAI and Ladakh UT will be present during the event.