Aviation ministry intensifies cargo terminal security
In the wake of the alleged terror threat of US-bound parcel bombs from Yemen, the civil aviation ministry has intensified security at cargo terminals across the country, including setting up of 15 feet-high barbed wire fences within the cargo terminals for segregation of cargo subjected to security screening and cargo yet to be screened.
“Just a fortnight ago, barbed wire fences that segregate screened cargo from the rest of the cargo have been set up in cargo terminals across India. This was done after the scare caused by the Yemen parcel bomb threat. After a check on cargo terminals in the country, it was observed that cargo already screened and that which was yet to be screened were lying in close proximity. There was always the possibility that small parcels could be flung across to the side where the screened cargo was kept. Even a small parcel bomb is enough to blow up an aircraft. The ministry has convened a meeting to review security measures for cargo terminals,” senior civil aviation ministry sources told this newspaper.
It was suspected that Jewish places of worship in the US could have been the target of the parcel bombs from Yemen that were intercepted in Britain and Dubai. The Al Qaeda is believed to have been responsible for the terror attempt. With tight checks on passengers and passenger baggage, security agencies suspect that terror groups may exploit loopholes in cargo security to attempt to blow up aircraft thereby creating a global scare. The Indian civil aviation sector is high on the hit-list of Pakistan-based terror groups.
In fact, the civil aviation ministry and the BCAS are already working on a plan to further tighten cargo security.
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