The Central Industrial Security Forces has taken over the charge of security at Srinagar international airport from Jammu and Kashmir Police, officials said. The change of guard at the airport comes in the backdrop of the arrest of DSP Davinder Singh, who was posted in the anti-hijacking unit deployed at the airport.
“Yes, the CISF has officially taken over Srinagar airport. The J&K Police will ensure security on the periphery,” an official at the airport said. Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department had called for handing over security to the CISF.
“This issue (CISF security at Srinagar and Jammu airports) has acquired immediacy in view of the recent developments relating to the arrest of Davinder Singh, DSP airport security, for trying to assist militants to travel to other parts of the country,” the home department order said. Police had arrested Singh, a deputy superintendent of police, at Mir Bazar in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district, along with Hizbul Mujahideen militants Naveed Baba and Altaf, besides a lawyer who was operating as an overground worker for terror outfits.
The Union government had last year decided that the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will be handed over security of these two airports along with the one in Leh in view of their sensitive and strategic locations and the threats they faced related to possible terrorist and hijack attempts. CISF is the national civil aviation security force and at present it guards 61 airports including the ones at Delhi and Mumbai. On January 13, the Union home ministry sanctioned about 800 personnel to the CISF in order to take over security duties at the three airports of the newly created Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
As per the original plan, the CISF was to take over Jammu airport by next month and the Srinagar and Leh airports after the spell of severe cold ends. However, officials said, keeping in mind the arrest of the DSP and his alleged links, the latest order has been issued which also directs the J-K Police to make arrangements for accommodation, transport and other logistical requirements of the armed contingent of the CISF on a quick basis
