AIZAWL, April 21: The Centre has ordered the deployment of about 120 armed security personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to provide counter-terrorist cover to Mizoram’s lone airport, strategically located at Lengpui.
This deployment marks Lengpui as the 69th airport in the country to come under the CISF’s protection. The CISF is designated as the national civil aviation security force.
Significantly, Lengpui airport will become the first airport in the Northeastern state of Mizoram to be guarded by the CISF.
The lone table-top runway airport of the state is located about 35 km north of the capital Aizawl in Mamit district. Built in February 1998, the airport is the first in the country to be constructed by a state government, according to the Airports Authority of India.
It currently offers flight connectivity to Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati and Silchar in Assam, and Imphal in Manipur, operated by Indigo and Alliance Air.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order in February this year asking the CISF to take complete charge of the strategically located airport following a threat assessment review by central intelligence agencies.”
A senior security officer told agency, “The CISF contingent is already familiarising with the facility and they will take charge of the airport on April 24 after a formal induction ceremony.”
More than 120 CISF personnel are being deployed in the first phase under the command of a Deputy Commandant rank officer. Another officer added that more personnel may be inducted over the coming months, and issues related to accommodation and logistics for the personnel are currently being planned out.
The facility is presently guarded by a joint team of the state police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The CRPF has been deploying a company strength of about 120 personnel at the airport since 1999.
The CISF has a specialised aviation security group tasked with guarding civil airports across the country. Its mandate includes providing counter-terrorist and anti-sabotage cover to these sensitive infrastructures.
At Lengpui, the CISF will manage entry and exit points, screen departing passengers and their baggage, and deploy armed, vehicle-borne commandos as part of a quick reaction team to respond in the event of threats or attacks.
The airport, being the only air facility in the state and located around 200 km from the India-Myanmar international border, holds strategic importance. As such, it will be placed under the ‘sensitive’ category by the CISF.
