IM plans hijack to free Yasin, security beefed up at Mangalore Airport

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Jan 4: Security has been beefed up at Mangalore International Airport amid reports that Indian Mujahideen was plotting to stage a hijack attempt to free its co-founder Yasin Bhatkal.

As per sources, a military intelligence unit based in Jammu has warned of a possible attempt by the Indian Mujahideen to hijack an aircraft, following interception of phone calls between IM members. Passengers across airports in India are being frisked at the entry points, security check area and also just before entering the aircraft, sources said.

Yasin Bhatkal was arrested on August 27, 2013, on Nepal border, and has been grilled by investigative authorities since then.

Speaking to reporters, Airport director J T Radhakrishna said that there have been orders to deploy special security and keep watch at the airport. "High alerts are issued now and then at the airport. We take extra security measures when an alert is issued," he added.

As Mangalore Aiport has international status, the security in the premises is more than before. But for the first time, the security has been heightened with the deployment of four canine squads. The canines were seen in action on Friday January 3, both inside and outside the Airport building.

The four canine squads have been trained in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, sources said. The canines are capable of detecting bombs just by sensing the smell of the chemicals used in them, it is said.