CISF to take over Srinagar, Leh, Jammu airport security: Home ministry

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved the deployment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in three of India's most sensitive airports- Leh, Srinagar and Jammu, a move that was pending since last two years.

According to a letter accessed by MyNation, the MHA has asked the CISF to take over, after conducting pre-induction formalities. This would include a survey by the CISF of these three airports.

Currently, Jammu Police along with the CRPF have been deployed at these airports, considering the sensitivity of the location.

"It has been decided to deploy the CISF at Jammu, Srinagar and Leh airports on the same terms and conditions which are in force for deployment of CISF at other airports," the MHA has said in its letter written on November 12.

According to the letter, "Pre-induction formalities including survey may be done on a priority basis to enable the CISF to take over the security at the three airports". The MHA has also asked the Ministry of Civil Aviation to provide regular funds for the deployment.

These three airports are most sensitive airports in India. Special restrictions have been introduced at these airports for passengers.

Meanwhile, there was a tug of war between the CRPF and CISF, over taking charge of these airports. The CRPF had said that they wanted to oversee the security of the airports as they are located in sensitive zones.

The CISF has a total strength of almost 1.45 lakh personnel and the airport sector is being headed by an Additional Director General officer. The force has a trained unit dedicated to the security of top high profile airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, etc. The force was deployed following the hijack of Indian Airlines flight IC-814.

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