Learning its lessons from terrorist attacks at airports in Brussels and Istanbul, the government has ordered security audit of almost 100 civil airports and has chose to bring all such facilities under CISF cover gradually. Earlier, Civil Aviation Ministry’s proposal for a separate force for aviation security was turned down as security is the domain of the Home Ministry. Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other top officials of Home Ministry and Civil Aviation attended the meeting in the national capital.
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Perimeter security is also a matter of concern, given the encroachments outside many airports, including Mumbai.
This order comes after emerging terror threats and recent attacks at Brussels and Istanbul airports. The MHA has also made a decision to bring Srinagar and Imphal airports, where Central Reserve Police Force personnel are providing security, under the Central Industrial Security Force (C.I.S.F) ambit.
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The ministry also feels the approaches to airports are vulnerable and more random security checks are required as deterrence. Also, there are gaps in approach to cargo terminals and patrolling by security agencies should be done in this area, an official said.
