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India beefing up aviation security after hijack

NEW DELHI: India will spend four to five billion rupees ($92-$115 million) annually to bolster civil aviation security after the hijack of an Indian Airlines plane, the government said on Saturday.

"We will spend between four to five billion rupees every year for strengthening aviation security," junior civil aviation minister Chaman Lal Gupta told a news conference.

The increasing in spending would take effect in the coming financial year, 2000-2001 (April-March).

In December, an Indian Airlines Airbus flying from the Nepalese capital Kathmandu to New Delhi was hijacked and diverted to the southern Afghan city of Kandahar.

One passenger on board the plane was killed by the hijackers and the others eventually released in exchange for three Kashmiri militants in Indian jails. The hijackers escaped.

Gupta said the government was planning a special security force to look after the country's airports.

"A three-point security check system has been evolved before boarding of an aircraft," Gupta said, outlining steps being taken to bolster the aviation security.

"Surprise checks are being made to ascertain whether the screening machines, X-ray machines installed at the airports are in proper working condition."

India's Civil Aviation Ministry recently introduced "Sky Marshall" commandoes on board passenger flights on some routes.

Gupta said steps were also being taken to properly fence in all airports to protect runways.

Officials also said aviation treaties with other countries were being examined to ensure there were no security lapses that could expose Indian civilian aircraft to risks.-Reuters