"We have intelligence inputs that there could be a hijack attempt of Indian planes," UK Bansal, senior home ministry official in charge of internal security, said. "We suspect that there can be an attempt to target one of our airlines, especially those which fly abroad," Bansal said as India geared up for celebrations marking the annual Republic Day on January 26 which is traditionally a time of heightened security tensions.
New security measures including additional checks on baggage and travellers at airports and the deployment of sky marshals on planes were being put in place, a statement from the civil aviation ministry said. The alert came after US Defence Secretary Robert Gates warned on Wednesday that South Asian militant groups could trigger a war between Pakistan and India through a "provocative act".
He also said that the United States would continue to share intelligence to prevent an attack. "We have alerted the ministry of civil aviation and bureau of civil aviation security and tightened security in all airports in the country," Bansal added. The alert warns of flights from India or originating in countries neighbouring India - Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal or Sri Lanka - being specific targets. "The information has been passed on to airport authorities and airline offices," said civil aviation ministry spokeswoman Moushumi Chakravarty.