Airport Entry Restrictions in Delhi and Punjab Amidst Khalistan Threats

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the regulatory authority for civil aviation in India, has issued a directive to halt the issuance of airport entry passes to visitors at airports in Delhi and Punjab. This precautionary measure was initiated in response to continuous threat messages received from central agencies, notably from Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the founder of Sikhs for Justice (SJF).

Pannun recently released a video in which he threatened to blow up an Air India flight on November 19, the day of the ICC World Cup final. The BCAS issued the order on Monday evening, prohibiting the issuance of temporary airport entry passes (TAEPs) for visitors to the terminal buildings at airports in Delhi, particularly the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The sale of visitor entry tickets was also banned.

An official from the Delhi airport confirmed that the BCAS order had been implemented, and all airport entry passes except those required for operational purposes would remain suspended until November 30.

The BCAS justified this action as a precautionary measure based on the continuous threat messages received from central agencies concerning potential threats to civil aviation installations at airports, airstrips, airfields, air force stations, helipads, flying schools, and aviation training schools across India.

Under this directive, security agencies at the airport will be required to perform a secondary ladder point check (SLPC) for all Air India flights at 161 airports and airports in Punjab. SLPC is a mandatory check that takes place after security clearance from the airport security agency, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), to ensure that passengers and their hand luggage are frisked again just before boarding the aircraft.

The BCAS also forwarded the order to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

In response to the Air India attack threat made by the pro-Khalistani group, India has urged Canada to enhance the security of Air India flights and to take action against Pannun for issuing the threat. In a video clip that surfaced on November 4, Pannun warned against boarding Air India flights on November 19, announcing a global blockade against the airline on that day, emphasizing the potential life-threatening risks associated with it. This message also serves as a warning to the Indian government.

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