In a shocking turn of events, a significant security breach occurred at India’s Delhi airport on Saturday (Jan 27). An intruder managed to breach the airport’s perimeter wall and reached the runway, raising serious concerns about the safety and security measures in place. The incident unfolded around 11:30 pm as an Air India pilot reported spotting the intruder while the flight landed safely and taxied to the parking bay, according to airport officials.
Prompt action was taken as the Air Traffic Control (ATC) was immediately alerted by the pilot. The Airport Operation Control Centre (AOCC) was mobilized swiftly, leading to the apprehension of the intruder by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), who then handed him over to the local police.
The accused, identified as hailing from Haryana, was arrested and later produced in court. Preliminary investigations revealed that the individual is a drug addict from Haryana’s Nuh district. Authorities assured that there was no security lapse on the part of Delhi police, emphasizing that airport security falls under the jurisdiction of CISF and DIAL.
The intruder managed to scale the perimeter wall of the Delhi airport, reaching the runway, a situation that is deeply concerning, especially considering the heightened security alert due to ongoing Republic Day celebrations. The incident occurred just a day after Republic Day, and the airport was on high alert due to the VVIP moment.
In response to the security breach, the CISF, responsible for securing the “hypersensitive” Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, took immediate action. A head constable was suspended on charges of dereliction of duty as part of the ongoing investigation into the serious lapse in security.
The incident is particularly alarming given the ongoing Republic Day celebrations, during which security agencies were on high alert, implementing special measures to counter potential sabotage activities. The breach raises questions about the effectiveness of security protocols at one of India’s crucial civil aviation facilities.
An in-depth investigation is currently underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the breach and to identify any shortcomings in the security infrastructure. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the constant need for vigilant security measures to ensure the safety of airports, passengers, and critical aviation infrastructure.