Mumbai Airport Receives Non-specific Bomb Threat Call, Terminal-2 Partially Evacuated

The authorities said they received what they said was a "non-specific" bomb threat call at around 11 AM. An airport official said security teams were searching in the premises.

Mumbai: The Mumbai Airport on Saturday received a threat call following which a part of the airport was evacuated. The authorities said they received what they said was a “non-specific” bomb threat call at around 11 AM.
An airport official said security teams have started a cordon and search operation inside the premises.

“A meeting was convened to assess the threat call. As a mitigation measure, the committee has decided to evacuate Terminal-2 level 4, airlines’ offices on level-3 and the meeters and greeters area on level-2,” said an airport spokesperson.

In the wake of the heightened tension between India and Pakistan, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on Saturday has even issued security guidelines for airports, airlines and other aviation companies.

“In view of the intelligence input in the aftermath of Pulwama attack and the subsequent developments, it is imperative to enhance the security arrangements,” read the BCAS statement which listed as many as 20 measures to be taken up to increase the security.

Some of these measures included strict access control to the terminal, apron areas; enhanced screening of passengers, bags, cargo; intensive check on vehicles entering airports, terminal buildings etc.

Operations at the Mumbai airport are already shut due to ongoing runway maintenance and repairing work, which commenced on February 7. The runways do not function from 11 AM to 5 PM on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays as part of the work which is scheduled till March 30.