With bare minimum security cover for domestic airports, sometimes as low as 15 security personnel for each airport, they are virtually sittings ducks in case of a terrorist attack. As the security at some domestic airports in the state is not foolproof, the Andhra Pradesh police have requested the Union government to provide Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) cover, a case in point being the recent terror strike at Dilsukhnagar.
Despite intelligence agencies recommending improved security at domestic airports, their pleas fell on deaf ears and the airports at Gannavaram (Vijayawada) and Madhuravada (Rajahmundry) are manned by security personnel from the State Armed Reserve.
Madhurawada airport, which houses the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) base station for anti-naxal operations, has also no extra protection. Following a police request, the State government wrote to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs seeking CISF cover, especially in the backdrop of the recent terrorist strike in Hyderabad.
The CISF has been providing security to 277 airports, including 56 domestic airports across the country. Security was handed over to the CISF following threats of hijacking of flights.
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