A heightened security alert has been imposed in and around airports across the country after law enforcement agencies uncovered a ‘terror plot.’
“Security remained heightened in airports with more intense screening of luggage and passengers to guard possible terror activity,” a senior CAAB (The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh) official told The New Nation yesterday, seeking anonymity.
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Tuesday arrested four suspected militants, including a pilot of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, for planning sabotage using aircraft.
CAAB on Thursday held an emergency meeting in response to the terror plot.
High officials of local and foreign flight operators and airport security agencies attended the meeting. When asked, the CAAB official said, “A four-tier security system has been installed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) after law enforcement officials thwarted a terror plot using aircraft.”
He said, the four-tier security cordon with a centralised control room has been installed at HSIA as per international standard. A dog squad has been deployed at the main entry of the airport to intensify passengers and baggage screening. Besides special emphasis is being laid on securing surrounding the airports, funnel areas, tarmac and landing areas
“We have increased and strengthened the patrolling and access control in and around the airport. Additional security personnel has also been deployed there,” he added.
The CAAB official further said other airports across the country would also be upgraded with four-tier integrated security system as par the heightened security alert.
An official of foreign flight operator, who was present on Thursday’s meeting, told the New Nation that the authorities have asked them to be more cautious in using airports citing a thwarted terror plot.
“They have issued a set of directive for the flight operators to deal with any possible terror plot on board,” he added.
Besides, the law enforcement agencies have brought 15 pilots under their intelligence vigilance for their alleged link to militancy.
