In response to an alarming video threat issued by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the founder of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), India’s regulatory authority for civil aviation, has taken decisive action to enhance security protocols at airports in Delhi and Punjab. The threat, which specifically targeted Air India flights, has raised concerns about passenger safety.
The video message, released on Sunday, warned of a potential attack on an Air India flight coinciding with the ICC World Cup final scheduled for November 19. In light of this menacing threat, the BCAS issued a directive on Monday evening, declaring the suspension of temporary airport entry passes (TAEPs) for visitors to the terminal building of the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi. Additionally, the sale of entry tickets to visitors has been prohibited.
A spokesperson from the Delhi airport confirmed that the BCAS directive has been diligently enforced, stating, “We have promptly implemented the order, and all TAEPs, except those essential for operational activities, will remain suspended until November 30.”
The BCAS has justified these measures as a precautionary response to a series of continuous threat messages conveyed by central agencies. These threats have pertained to the safety and security of civil aviation installations, encompassing airports, airstrips, airfields, air force stations, helipads, flying schools, and aviation training institutions nationwide.
Moreover, the BCAS order mandates the introduction of a secondary ladder point check (SLPC) as a requisite security protocol. The SLPC procedure will be enforced at 161 airports, including those located in Punjab, and specifically, for all Air India flights.
The SLPC is an essential step that requires airline staff members to conduct thorough security checks on passengers and their hand luggage following the standard security clearance provided by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is responsible for airport security. This examination is carried out just before passengers board the aircraft.
Additionally, the BCAS has promptly communicated this order to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), ensuring that it is not just a localized response but part of a comprehensive national security strategy.
In the wake of the pro-Khalistani group’s threat directed at Air India, India has initiated discussions with Canada to bolster the security measures for Air India flights. Furthermore, India has urged Canadian authorities to take necessary actions against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for issuing this perilous threat.
In the video that surfaced on November 4, Pannun conveyed a stark warning to the Sikh community, urging them to refrain from boarding Air India flights after November 19. He asserted that a global blockade would be enforced on that day, effectively grounding Air India’s operations worldwide. Pannun’s message raised serious concerns, as he emphasized the potential life-threatening nature of the situation and made it unequivocally clear that he was issuing a warning to the Indian government.
