In response to heightened security threats following Pakistan’s drone attacks and India’s retaliatory strikes, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been directed to temporarily oversee cargo operations and in-line hold baggage screening at 69 civil airports across India.

The move, effective until May 18, was announced on Saturday by a CISF spokesperson, following a May 9 directive from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

The enhanced measures come in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack and escalating Indo-Pak tensions, marked by Pakistan’s drone strikes on 26 Indian locations on Friday and India’s overnight missile strikes on three Pakistani airbases—Nur Khan, Rafiqi, and Murid—on Saturday.

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The CISF, traditionally responsible for frisking passengers and cabin baggage, will now supervise cargo operations and the In-line Hold Baggage Screening System (ILHBSS), previously handled by private security staff employed by airlines and airport operators.

“This enhancement of CISF’s mandate is essential to reinforce security arrangements at all civil airports,” the spokesperson said, emphasizing immediate implementation across all covered airports. The CISF will conduct random checks, oversee access control to critical facilities, and monitor private security staff managing ILHBSS operations. The directive introduces a secondary layer of security to counter potential terrorist threats amid the volatile security scenario.

The decision reflects India’s heightened alert status, with 32 airports closed until May 14 and air defenses on high alert after intercepting Pakistani drones and missiles.

The move aligns with the government’s response to the ongoing conflict, which has seen heavy shelling along the Line of Control and international calls for de-escalation. By extending CISF’s counter-terrorist cover, India aims to safeguard aviation infrastructure against potential sabotage, ensuring robust security as the nation navigates this precarious standoff with Pakistan.

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