Click to play videoNew Delhi: In a classic case of the Government's left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing, the Home Ministry denied reports of a hijack threat to the Mumbai airport. The Home Ministry's denial directly contradicted State Home Minister Jayant Patil's statement who had confirmed earlier on Thursday that there was a specific alert.
Security at the Mumbai airport was tightened on Thursday following an intelligence input, suggesting that terrorists were planning to carry out a hijacking attempt for securing the release of some militants.
An alert was issued following a meeting of senior officials of the Civil Aviation Ministry, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Home Ministry, Civil Aviation Ministry sources said on Thursday.
On Thursday evening Patil said the airport has been alerted to a hijack threat.
"Maharashtra government received information from the Centre about the possibility of an aircraft being hijacked. Airport security has been increased," he said.
However, bureaucrats in the Union Home Ministry, who would normally handle such a situation, say no such alert has been issued even though Patil confirmed the alert.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Home Sri Prakash Jaiswal has said an advisory has been issued to the Maharashtra government, warning of a possible terror attack via sea.
"It is a precautionary advisory that has been given to Maharashtra government that terrorists can attack not only via sea or land but also from air. We need to beef up security at airports," he said.
Major airports across the country, especially those in the western region, have been on high alert and extra vigilant for the past few weeks following the terror strike in Mumbai.
Extra surveillance has been mounted at the airports, with additional Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and police personnel being deployed to keep an eye in and around the terminals.
Sniffer dogs have been deployed in some airports, while plainclothesmen have also been put on the job. Sky Marshals are keeping a vigil on sensitive routes.
(With inputs from PTI)
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