Hyderabad airport on high alert after threat letter; security beefed up

Hyderabad: A red alert has been sounded and security beefed up at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA)at Shamshabad here on Friday after an anonymous letter was received threatening that explosives will be used and transported through a flight.

"We have stepped up security and intensified checking on two main entry points towards the RGIA. The measure has been taken following the anonymous threat letter. Vehicles passing on the routes are being checked and the personnel have been asked to be more careful," Joint Commissioner of Police Y. Gangadhar (Cyberabad Commissionerate) told PTI.

Additional police forces have been deployed on the routes and near the airport. Personnel at the two check-posts on the routes have been alerted and the security checks will continue for the next few days, the senior police officer said.

Incidentally, the day marks the first anniversary of the Dilsukhnagar twin blasts here which claimed the lives of 17 persons and injured over 100. NIA is investigating the blasts case.

"In view of the first anniversary of the Dilsukhnagar twin blasts, police were already conducting frisking and checking which has now been intensified," Gangadhar said.

When asked on the language and other details in the letter, he said, "The contents of the letter are not yet known. We have only been informed to be on alert following the anonymous threat letter."

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which guards the facility, has beefed up the security and vigil even as a red-alert has been issued for the airport, CISF Additional Director General (Airport security) O P Singh confirmed the development to PTI but refused to elaborate.

Airport Sources earlier said that the Chief Airport Security Officer (CASO) of the sprawling complex received the letter which threatened that 'explosives will be used and transported through a flight which may take-off or land at the airport'. 

The letter does not clarify the handler or source of the explosives but states that the flight may come or go to Delhi.