Security Scare At Colombo Airport After Tip-Off On Pahalgam Attack Suspects, Sri Lankan Flight Searched
Days after a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu-Kashmir’s Pahalgam, a massive search operation was undertaken at the Colombo airport on Saturday after a tip-off that six suspects believed to be involved in the attack had reached Sri Lanka on board a flight from Chennai. According to news agency ANI, Sri Lankan Airlines has issued a statement regarding the incident.
The airline said that the flight was subjected to a comprehensive security search upon arrival. It further added that the security search was carried out in coordination with the local authorities following an alert from the Chennai Area Control.
“The public that Flight UL 122, operated by aircraft 4r-ALS, which arrived in Colombo from Chennai at 11:59 hrs today (3 May), was subjected to a comprehensive security search upon arrival. This was carried out in coordination with local authorities following an alert from the Chennai Area Control Centre regarding a suspect wanted in India who was believed to be on board,” the Sri Lankan Airlines said in a statement.
According to NDTV quoting locals, Sri Lanka Police, Sri Lanka Air Force, and airport security units jointly carried out the search operation. But no suspect was found.
In Pahalgam, at least 26 civilians, including a Nepalese tourist and a pony ride operator, were massacred by terrorists with Pakistan links at the Baisaran meadow of Jammu Kashmir in Pahalgam on April 22.
Centre has tasked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to conduct the probe into the attack. The central government, days after the attack in Pahalgam, announced a slew of measures, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, downgrading diplomatic relations with Islamabad, among others.
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