Security ramped up after Brussels blasts

The Centre on Tuesday beefed up security measures at critical establishments, particularly airports and metros, in the wake of multiple blasts in Brussels which claimed several lives. The Central government has asked all the state governments and security agencies, including CISF, to beef up security at airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata, among others. Putting security agencies in a tizzy, bomb threats were recieved in five Jet aircrafts hours after the Brussels attack, causing panic among passengers at the Indira Gandhi international airport.

Security sources, however, confirmed that “no adverse report’’ has been recieved from any of the airports and the three planes, which received bomb threats, had already flown to their respective destinations — Gorakhpur, Chandigarh and Dehradun. They said the calls may be “hoax”, but all precautions are being taken to ensure security.

While three of the planes had already departed by the time the anonymous call about the bomb threats was received, the fourth aircraft, which was bound for Chennai, was diverted to Nagpur, sources said.

Another plane, also bound for Chennai which was preparing for take off, was grounded and is undergoing checks by the security agencies, a senior police official said. A comprehensive security check was undertaken at Delhi airport and there was no cause for concern, officials said.

“Jet Airways has received a security alert for five flights from Delhi. All flights are on ground and are being checked by security agencies at the respective airports,” the airline said in a tweet but did not share specific details. “We regret the inconvenience caused to our guests. The safety and security of our guests and crew is always our main priority,” Jet Airways said.

Among the scores of people killed and injured in explosions at Brussels international airport, two persons were crew members of Jet Airways.

While CISF has asked all its troops to remain alert, the security has also been tightened at metro services at Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, official sources said. While almost all airports in the country and the Delhi Metro are guarded by the CISF, other metro networks are protected by respective state police forces. All checkpoints have been strengthened and the local police has been advised to stay vigil.

Indian’s close shave with attack Until around 7.45am on Tuesday Kilaru Naga Sravan of Vijayawada here was a happy man, about to take part in a seminar with students from around the world in Brussels when the peace and quiet were shattered with the news of three explosions in the city.

Mr Sravan (22) was on a trip to European countries as part of 12-day programme by International Academy for Leadership and is the youngest in the group of 24 youth from 24 countries. He was just 500 metres away from the Maelbeek metro station when the explosion took place and passed by the station’s subway minutes before.

Mr Sravan, who was at the European Institute, is safe but disturbed by the incident that took lives of many in Brussels. “Immediately after the blast, I spoke to my family and conveyed them that I am safe. I just passed by the subway before the blast took place. I saw the blast site of the metro station from outside. There is heavy police control and the city is locked down”, Mr Sravan told this newspaper over email.