By VISHWAS DASS
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 24: The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has reportedly provided specific inputs to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on the presence of persons with terror links in Orissa after which the latter has bolstered its security at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA).
The CISF top brass are on their toes to thwart any terror attack on the sensitive installation.
The timing of the circular is crucial as the state police have arrested a youth inside the prohibited area of Chandipur integrated missile testing (ITR) range Friday for leaking classified information to Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) agent.
“We have no inputs about terrorist presence in the state. It would be better if this question is put to the IB,” state director general of police (DGP) Sanjeev Marik told Orissa POST. Marik, however, said security has been stepped up at sensitive installations across the state.
Though the CISF officials deployed at BPIA remained tightlipped over the development, they said the airport has been fortified and all security arrangements are unprecedented in the wake of the Republic Day.
When contacted, state Inspector General of Police (intelligence) Arun Kumar Sarangi told Orissa POST they do not have any alert from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) on terrorists sneaking into the state. “However, after getting an alert from the IB that the terrorists might target Orissa, we have tightened the security to avoid any untoward incident,” stressed Sarangi.
Notably, BPIA falls under sensitive category of the airports authority of India (AAI) under the ministry of civil aviation (MCA), prompting the CISF to remain alert.
The situation can be gauged by the fact that several mock drills have been carried out by the central agency at BPIA to check the preparedness.
Traffic at the first lane in front of domestic terminal T1 has been prohibited where several armed CISF personnel sporting ultra modern firearm MP5 rifles have been deployed to act with “promptness and accuracy” in case of any terror attack.
However, CISF officials have raised concerns over state police’s delay in deploying armed personnel at the entry of city airport despite repeated requests to the latter.
Airport director Sharad Kumar confirmed the development but declined to say any further on the issue. He said no stone would be left unturned to ensure foolproof security at the international and domestic terminal.
