In an ambitious move that could change the way airport security in India works, the Cabinet Committee on Security will soon discuss a proposal to acquire sophisticated state-of-the-art equipment for scanning and checking both passengers and baggage at all leading airports.
Highly-placed Government sources said the equipment, in particular will, be highly useful in detecting 'human bombs' where explosive devices are surgically implanted in
a human body.
The move, sources added, has been necessitated in wake of a recent alert issued by the Intelligence Bureau through the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security that Indian airports could be targeted by human bombs where sophisticated surgical procedures plants explosives inside the human body - just beneath the skin.
The alert added that it may not be very easy for security agencies and metal detectors to trace such explosive material.
The report also mentioned that in certain cases explosives can even be attached as an external component with the suspect acting as sick passenger.
Indian intelligence agencies, sources added, have been receiving inputs from America's Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding security threat to the aviation sector in India.
Senior officials involved with aviation security in the country feel that Indian security personnel rely a lot on physical checks and frisking.
But in view of the changed security scenario and an increased threat perception, the Government is keen to use more of technology now.
The move will help bring Indian airports at par with leading airports in Europe and the United States in use of technology for security-related issues.
Once the CCS clears the proposal in principle a committee of experts will be constituted to shortlist the kind of hi-tech equipment that is most suitable for the Indian scenario.
"We will procure the latest and the most sophisticated machines that will detect, not just the explosives, but the slightest banned substance either on the human body or inside baggage," a senior security official said.
The Government is also looking at the possibility of providing more sophisticated weapons to Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and CISF personnel deployed for airport security.
At present most of the them are using the AK series of weapons or in certain situations, even light machines guns and INSAS rifles.
There is a move to provide commandos, specially those deployed at sensitive and important airports, with lighter weapons having more firepower.