Mumbai airport on high alert after post SMS about bombers aboard flight

The Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport was put on high alert after the CISF received a text message stating that suicide bombers may board any of Air India's flights on October 24 and 25

The Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai was put on high alert after the Kolkata Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) received a text message stating that suicide bombers may board any of Air India’s flights on October 24 and 25. The alert was on till late Saturday.

The Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. FILE PIC

An alert was sounded by the country’s various security agencies on the national carrier’s six flights, operating on the Mumbai-Kochi-Ahmedabad route. According to airport officials, flights such as AI 191, which proceed to international destinations after plying between domestic ports of destination such as Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Delhi, are also under the scanner. Other flights put on high alert include AI 681 (Mumbai-Kochi), AI 985 (Mumbai-Muscat), AI 054 (Mumbai-Cochin), AI 131 (Mumbai- London) and AI 614 (Ahmedabad–Mumbai). Around 350-400 CISF personnel have been roped in for duty.

Security was beefed up on Saturday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected to land in Mumbai at around 4pm yesterday, and depart at around 9 pm.

Anti-hijacking units were also alerted. “The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has written to Mumbai airport to continue the high alert on all the six Air India flights on Sunday as well,” said a senior officer.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!