Sri Lankan police on Saturday searched a flight arriving here from Chennai after being tipped-off that a suspect linked to the Pahalgam terror attack could be on board, police spokesperson said here.
A statement from the national carrier SriLankan Airlines said that its flight arrived at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport from Chennai at 11:59 am and underwent a comprehensive security inspection upon arrival.
Sri Lankan authorities conducted a full security search of a SriLankan Airlines flight from Chennai on Saturday following a terror threat. The operation was launched after Chennai Airport officials received an email claiming that five suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives were on board flight UL 122.
The email, received at 11:05 am by the airport’s Chief Security Officer, stated: “Five South Indian males on UL 122 (9.55am) are Lashkar operatives. Clean profile, well-trained, no suspicion.” Though the threat was categorised as ‘non-specific’, it prompted immediate coordination with Sri Lankan officials, as the flight had already departed.
Also read: Pahalgam massacre: Terrorists likely fled to PoK’s Neelum Valley
Upon arrival at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport at 11:59 am, the aircraft was isolated and a thorough inspection was conducted in coordination with local authorities. All passengers were deboarded, and the plane was searched meticulously. No suspicious individuals or activities were found, and officials later confirmed the email was a hoax.
SriLankan Airlines issued a statement confirming that the aircraft had been cleared for further operations after the security screening. The incident comes amid heightened alert in the region following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 dead. Indian authorities suspect involvement of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, including three Pakistani nationals, in the massacre.
Terrorists killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22.
Indian authorities have identified five terrorists — including three Pakistani nationals — behind the massacre in Pahalgam.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 24 vowed to punish the terrorists behind the Pahalgam terror attack and those part of the conspiracy beyond their imagination, asserting that the country's enemies targeted not merely unarmed tourists but dared to attack India's soul.
In a high-level meeting with the top defence brass on April 29, Modi asserted that the armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the terror attack, according to government sources.
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