VASCO/PANAJI
Goa Airport at Dabolim was placed on high alert on Monday evening after a call was made that a bomb was on board a Russian charter flight "Azur Airways" bringing in around 244 passengers to Goa from Moscow.
The security at the airport was immediately ramped up with a huge police force being deployed and other agencies including ATS, fire officials, bomb squad being activated to take care of any adverse situation.
The flight was soon diverted to Jamnagar where it landed at around 9:49 pm. The security agencies were, in the meantime alerted and the passengers were de-boarded whereas the crew members assisted the security agencies to screen the flight including the cabin and luggage.
The dog squad and Bomb Disposal team were also pressed to service.
Sources said the Airport officials in Goa soon summoned an emergency high-level meeting of the airport police and the collectorate for further action. The police have begun tracking the call, as, sources said that the authorities received a call alleging the bomb threat.
"The airline then sent an email to the Defense force at Dabolim airport who alerted the authorities. Dabolim airport police are on the job to track the caller and if it is found to be a hoax call, an FIR will be registered," sources said.
Meanwhile, sources said, that the charter flight could be re-routed to Mopa airport instead of Dabolim airport.
In a late-night development, the Jamnagar police said that the charter plane was parked in the bay much away from the main terminal building while all passengers were frisked and sent to the 'holding area' until overall security procedures were complete.
A senior Jamnagar police officer told The Goan that until 11.30 pm no explosive or suspected devices were found on board even as the search continued.
"All the SOPs will be followed. Quick Response Team, fire fighters and fire brigade, dog squad, bomb disposal squad and other security agencies are already stationed here to ensure all passengers and the facility is safe," he said.
Speaking to media, Mormugao DySP Salim Shaikh said that additional staff was placed as a precautionary measure to ensure safety at the Goa Airport.
"There is an emergency situation and we have deployed additional force as a precautionary measure and we are monitoring the activity. We are not sure if it was a hoax but we are not taking any chances", he said.
