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Imphal: In a major security preparedness initiative, the annual bomb threat mock exercise was effectively conducted at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Manipur capital Imphal on Thursday, involving Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel and all key stakeholders, officials said.
An Airports Authority of India (AAI) official said the high-intensity drill evaluated real-time emergency response capabilities and highlighted the extraordinary coordination between the CISF, Dog Squad, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Bureau of Immigration (BOI), Manipur Police, airlines, AAI staff, AAI Fire Services and other airport stakeholders.
A CISF source said, “The exercise not only validated the rapid response protocols but also strengthened inter-agency synergy, ensuring that Imphal airport remains fully equipped to manage high-risk bomb threat scenarios with precise and integrated action.”
Located 6 km from Imphal city centre, Bir Tikendrajit International Airport operates flights connecting Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Agartala and other cities of the country.
A senior AAI official said similar security preparedness mock exercises will be conducted at 17 operational airports in eight north-eastern states. CISF personnel are deployed at most of the airports in the Northeast.
Early last month, flight operations at Imphal International Airport were temporarily suspended after a drone was spotted, raising security concerns.
An AAI official had said that an IndiGo flight from Agartala to Imphal had reported sighting a drone at an altitude of 3,600 to 4,000 feet on its final approach path towards the city.
The official had said that normal operations resumed only after the incident was immediately reported to Manipur Police and necessary security clearance was obtained from it.
The AAI official said the public is strictly advised not to operate drones in and around the airport, including Imphal City (East and West), Nambol and Bishnupur areas.
He said, unauthorized drone operations pose a serious threat to aircraft safety, which can lead to temporary closure of the airport and significant inconvenience to passengers. The AAI official cautioned that any violation of drone operation rules will attract strict legal action as per applicable laws. He said, ensuring the safety of passengers and aircraft operations is our top priority.
Imphal West Superintendent of Police Shivkant Singh also urged people not to fly drones in areas adjacent to the airport. He had said, “If anyone is found flying a drone between Sanzenthong and Kwakithel, please inform the police immediately so that it can be shot down. This is affecting the movement of flights.” He cautioned that strict legal action will be taken under the law if drone rules are violated.
Last year, Assam Rifles had deployed anti-drone systems in the border areas of Imphal Valley in Manipur to flush out any “rogue drones”.
–IANS