Delhi airport on high alert; asks for reporting 3hrs before departure

The Government has put Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on high alert in the wake of recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir and the Independence Day celebrations.

The Delhi airport operator on Wednesday requested flyers to reach the airport minimum three hours in advance for all domestic flights and four hours in advance for all international flights due to enhanced security arrangements.

It further informed that the entry to the meet and greet area will be closed from August 10 to August 20.

Meanwhile, a high-security alert has been issued by the aviation security agency Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) at all airports ahead of Independence Day.

Pakistan has closed its airspace partially hours after the Imran Khan government decided to downgrade diplomatic relations with India in the wake of abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier on Monday, the national capital was on high alert to ensure no untoward incident occurs after the Government decided to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

With the upcoming Independence Day celebrations, the police and security agencies are on an alert. Police officials have been asked to ensure the safety of Kashmiri students residing in the capital.

A red alert was also issued for the Delhi Metro network in the wake of the recent developments in the country.

"Security Alert. As advised by security agencies, a red alert has been imposed on the entire DMRC network. Please allow extra time in security checks," a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation tweet read.

The Union Home Ministry has directed the Delhi police to be on maximum alert so as to pre-empt and prevent any breach of security or public order.

"Being the national capital, Delhi is always on alert and Delhi Police ensures that no untoward incident takes place. We were already beefing up the security arrangements in view of Independence Day, but after the directions of the Centre we will keep strict vigil," a senior police official was quoted as saying by IANS.

An advisory for remaining on a high alert mode was issued to all the security forces across the country, including Delhi Police. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) alert is based on general inputs analysed after any important event. The latest directive came after the government abolished Article 370 that gives special status on Jammu and Kashmir and also in view of the upcoming Independence Day celebrations.

Copyright: The Statesman/ Asia News Network