Article Posted on : - Dec 05, 2008

A CISF personnel maintains strict vigil at departure terminal of the IGI Airport following Bureau of Civil Aviation Security's terror alert, in New Delhi on Thursday. PTI Photo

NEW DELHI (PTI): The security at the Indira Gandhi International airport here was thrown into a state of high alert in the wee hours Friday following the reported hearing of gunshots.

The scare followed after passengers claimed to have heard sound of two gunshots firing at around 1.15 am near gate no 4, but there was no eyewitness, Udayan Banerjee, Commissioner of Security for Airports (COSA) told PTI.

However, the airport was already on a high alert following intelligence warning that there could be a terror attack or a hijack ahead of the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary on Saturday.

The Quick Reaction Team (QRT) of the CISF swung into action along with Delhi Police immediately after the reported incident.

"We received a call that some passengers heard a sound similar to two gunshots, but there were no eyewitnesses. No evidence has so far come up to suggest that it was a firing and we cannot confirm it as a gunshot," Banerjee said.

"After the sound, the CISF and Delhi Police swung into action and intensified the checking at the airport," he said.

The area outside departure terminal was completely cordoned off with AK-47 and INSAS rifle toting CISF and Delhi Police commandos taking control of the entire premises.

Banerjee said, while the checking was going on, a white colour Qualis car jumped the queue and sped away adding to the confusion. A police gypsy chased the car, but lost it after some time, he added.

When asked whether the number plate was noticed, Banerjee said, "We are not really sure about the number plate but I was told it was an HR (Haryana) registration vehicle”.