Visitors Not Allowed At Delhi, Following ‘Threats Made by Pannun’ SJF

Security Measures Enhanced at Indian Airports Following Threat to Air India Flight

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the regulatory authority for civil aviation in India, has instructed airport operators in Delhi and Punjab to halt the issuance of airport entry passes to visitors.

This precautionary measure follows threats made against Air India flights. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the founder of Sikhs for Justice (SJF), released a video on Sunday, threatening to blow up an Air India flight on November 19, the day of the ICC World Cup final.

The BCAS issued an order stating that “the issue of TAEPs (temporary airport entry passes) entry of visitors to the terminal building of the IGI (Indira Gandhi International) airport (in Delhi) and the sale of visitors entry tickets will be banned.”

The order has been implemented, with all AEPs except those involved in operational work suspended until November 30.

The BCAS cited continuous threat messages from central agencies regarding the “threat to civil aviation installations over all India airports.”

The regulatory authority has mandated the secondary ladder point check (SLPC) for all Air India flights at 161 airports and airports in Punjab. SLPC is a mandatory check performed under BCAS instructions, requiring airline staff to frisk passengers and their hand-luggage after security clearance from the airport security agency (CISF) just before boarding the aircraft.

The BCAS has also communicated this order to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). India has called on Canada to enhance security for Air India flights in response to the pro-Khalistani group’s threat against the airline.

Additionally, India has urged Canada to take action against Pannun for issuing the threat.

In the video message, Pannun called on Sikhs to avoid boarding Air India flights on November 19, warning of a global blockade against the airline.

He cautioned Sikhs against traveling on Air India flights after November 19 due to potential life-threatening risks. The situation highlights the increased security concerns at Indian airports and the need for vigilance in response to such threats.