Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 12: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sounded a high alert in Jammu and Kashmir Airports on the inputs given by the Intelligence agencies that 14 militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit were plotting to hijack an aircraft to get some of their top colleagues released from the jail.
Confirming the alert sounded by the MHA for both Jammu and Srinagar Airports along with few other sensitive Airports of the country, official sources said extraordinary security arrangements were being made by the police authorities to thwart designs of the militants.
The MHA alert, which was received today by Anti-Hijacking Police of Jammu Airport Security wing, called for maintaining a very strict surveillance on both Jammu and Srinagar Airports in view of presence of the LeT cadre in Jammu and Kashmir especially the Valley.
The MHA alert stated that 14 persons from the LeT outfit were plotting a major conspiracy to hijack a plane and, in the bargain, seek release of some jailed militants of the outfit especially Pakistanis.
Sources said the alert has also been sounded for some other Airports of the country but the threat was more significant for Jammu and Kashmir where the LeT outfit still had some major cadre despite elimination of top militants and arrest of some others.
The alert specifically pointed out towards the involvement of 14 militants of the LeT cadre in hatching the conspiracy for hijacking of a plane. It said the militants could enter the place taking valid and genuine tickets on their names to dodge security agencies.
Confirming the MHA alert, a senior police officer of Anti-Hijacking wing said all security arrangements have been put in place at both Jammu and Srinagar Airports to thwart the terror plot of Lashkar-e-Toiba.
“We have taken the MHA alert very seriously. All possible security arrangements have been made at Jammu and Srinagar Airports. More stressed was being laid on confirming identity of the travelers to ensure that no anti-national elements could manage to get entry into the aircrafts”, sources said.
Assuring all kind of safety and security to the travelers, they added, that the people need not to worry as adequate security arrangements were in place at both the Airports and security has been further strengthened after the MHA alert to ensure that every thing went on smooth.
“Definitely there is a threat especially when no less a Ministry but the MHA had itself sounded an alert of hijacking by the dreaded militant outfit of Lashkar-e-Toiba but we too are fully alert to meet the challenge”, sources said, adding that a strict vigil was being made by police, Intelligence and security agencies on intercepts of the LeT in Jammu and Kashmir.
The input revealed that the Lashkar was planning to seek release of their top jailed colleagues within Jammu and Kashmir and outside after the hijacking.
In 1999 December, the militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit had hijacked a plane and got three dreaded militants released including Jaish chief Moulana Azhar Masood.
Since then, no hijacking has taken place in India due to tight security arrangements at the Airports.
Sources said in addition to making tight security arrangements at the Airports, the authorities have also been keeping strict surveillance on the LeT network and trying to get their intercepts to foil their nefarious designs.
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