A man climbed the wall of Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and reached the runway amid high alert security in the national capital for Republic Day celebrations, sources said on Sunday. Security personnel apprehended the intruder on the runway.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) — responsible for securing the “hypersensitive” IGIA — suspended a head constable on for negligence of his duty.
The intruder — found to be in an inebriated state — was first spotted by an Air India pilot on the runway around 11:30 pm on Saturday, officials said. The pilot then informed the Air Traffic Control (ATC) which directed the CISF to nab the intruder.
The man from Haryana was caught by CISF personnel and handed over to the Delhi Police, they said.
The paramilitary force launched a probe into the serious security breach of the “hypersensitive” civil aviation facility. During the probe, the CISF personnel was suspended, sources told Media.
The “alarming” incident came amid the high-alert notice issued by security agencies for the ongoing Republic Day celebrations with special measures to check sabotage activities. This was also in view of the extreme cold weather and accompanying fog, a senior officer said.
The Republic Day celebrations will culminate on Monday with the Beating Retreat ceremony.
The CISF are responsible for providing a counter-terrorist security cover to the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and ensuring a secured perimeter wall too.
