No alert, but BIA won’t take chances
Security cover has been increased at the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA). The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is in charge of security at the airport, said that though no advisory had been issued by the Intelligence Bureau or the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, the airport had been put on high alert.
“Being a hyper-sensitive airport, we are always on alert. Whenever an important event or date approaches we are on alert and this time it is no different,” a senior CISF commandant at the airport told Express.
He said that usually alerts were issued a day or two prior to an important event. But this time no alert was issued. However, barricades have been erected at the entrance of the airport and quick reaction teams (QRTs) had been posted at different locations in and around the airport. Additional security has been provided near the Haj lounge.
Last year, following the Mumbai attack, a red alert was sounded at the airport.
IT ZONE GUNS FOR COVER
A year after the Mumbai terror attacks, the IT capital, which has always been a soft terror target, remains to be as insecure as it was.
Intelligence sources had revealed earlier also that the city’s hotspots-- the multinational companies -- have been the under the terror radar.
Keeping this in mind on Saturday a mock exercise on dealing with a terrorist attack was carried out in Bangalore by the City Police with the assistance of the II Para Battalion (Special Force) stationed in Bangalore by the Ministry of Defence.
The mock-drill revealed a number of loophooes in the security in case of a attack on the city, especially the IT hubs including ITPL and the surrounding areas in Whitefield.
City police commissioner Shankar Bidari said that very soon a 30-member CAR commando team will be deployed at the unit that will be built up soon in Whitefield.
“On Saturday, it took about 45 mins for the Para military troup to reach the ITPL from Benson Town where a mock drill was being carried out, that too despite the signal clearance.” “The decision of placing a unit at Whitefield was made to ensure immediate response in the time of crisis,” he added. The team will be equipped with high- end weapons including AK-47s and hand grenades. About one-and-a-half acre of land has been identified for the purpose near the ITPL bus stand. “Talks are going on regarding this. The new unit will be equipped with sophisticated weapons, ambulance service and bulletproof jackets,” he said. The service of these commando team will be dedicated entirely for the security of these IT companies.
“On an average, we have nearly four lakh employees working at these software industries. Though we have many police stations in these vicinity, it is time to dedicate a skilled police team to safeguard the vicinity,” he added.
