CISF's role in airport security expanded to cargo and baggage screening at 69 airports

NEW DELHI: To boost the security across Indian civil airports, the Central Industrial Security Force announced on Saturday its expanded security role, now temporarily overseeing cargo operations and in-line baggage screening at 69 civil airports across India. This extension follows a BCAS directive from May 9, implemented as a security response to the Pahalgam terrorist incident. The arrangement will continue until May 18.Prior to this directive, CISF's deployment as the primary aviation security force did not explicitly extend to the direct security and screening of cargo operations and the In-line Hold Baggage Screening System. CISF said that the decision aimed to introduce a crucial secondary layer of security checks to enhance Aviation Security. Under the new directive, CISF personnel are authorised to conduct random inspections and monitor access control at these vital airport facilities.The spokesperson confirmed that all CISF-protected airports have implemented these enhanced security measures.Officials clarified that before this directive, CISF's role as the primary aviation security force did not specifically include direct supervision of cargo operations and ILHBSS.This security enhancement introduces additional verification layers to strengthen aviation safety protocols.