Security scare at New Delhi airport
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High alert: An Indian paramilitary official stands guard at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi (AFP: Manan Vatsyana)
New Delhi's international airport was the scene of a major security scare this morning after what appeared to be a false alarm, officials at the airport said.
"We have combed the airport inch by inch and we have found nothing. The same is for the domestic airport. Nothing has happened," said KR Singh, the official in charge of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) airport control room.
The CISF is the paramilitary unit responsible for airport security.
"All our men are still searching but have found nothing. We have no incident," he said, dismissing unconfirmed media reports of a shooting incident at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Earlier there had been unconfirmed reports that Indian forces had shot dead up to six gunmen at the airport.
But Indian TV later reported that two sharp sounds sparked fears of a shootout.
India put its airports on high alert overnight following warnings of possible attacks using hijacked aircraft, officials said, a week after Islamist militants launched a devastating assault on Mumbai.
The emergency measures were enacted as Defence Minister AK Antony ordered the armed forces to be on guard against "any terror strikes from the air."
All major airports - including Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi - were placed on high alert.
The Press Trust of India said any attack may be timed to coincide with the December 6 anniversary of the destruction of the Babri mosque in northern India by Hindu extremists in 1992.
-AFP/ABC
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