CISF tightens security at airports to counter terror attacks

Hyderabad: The Central Industrial Task Force has deployed quick reaction teams (QRTs) at airports, trained its personnel and strengthened its capability to counter terror strikes.

“We are gearing up to counter any attack in the manner of Istanbul or Brussels (terror attacks). Our people are already trained. We have deployed QRTs behind bullet-resistant (bullet-proof) ‘morchas’, so that if terror elements fire they will not be able to get us,” a senior CISF official said.

After the Istanbul and Brussels incidents, the CISF has formulated strategies to thwart such attacks at Indian airports. “We have started checking at the ‘nakas’ now. Any suspicious vehicle going to airport will be stopped and checked with the help of sniffer dogs and electronic explosive detectors,” he said.

In addition, QRTs will be stationed at the arrival and departure sides of airports.
“If they (QRTs) find any suspicious person coming out with weapon or attempting to fire, our teams have been instructed to fire back. We have the capability to fire back at them and neutralise them. We are going into that mode now,” he said.

“All the teams are professionally trained to prevent any kind of hijack situation or terrorist attack,” he told this newspaper. As of now, CISF has taken over security responsibility at 59 major airports. “The plan is being prepared to cover 39 more airports depending on their viability.”