Chennai: Chennai airport went to high alert mode on Sunday following an intelligence input that that a group may attempt to simultaneously hijack flights in Chennai, Mumbai and Hyderabad airports. Sources said that, as per the alert, hijacks may be carried out by a team of 23 people. The alert saw security agencies put all the three airports on high alert.

Special anti-sabotage sweeps are being carried out at the three airports since early on Sunday and security agencies, including the CISF, were carrying out proper passenger checks, baggage scanning, pre-embarkation checks, secondary ladder point checking and patrols to thwart any bid to storm the airports.

The security protocols at these civilian air facilities were increased to the level that is usually done on Republic Day and Independence Day with CISF and the police taking special measures.

Following the alert, visitors’ entry was banned on Sunday in Chennai airport. A number of security measures was also put in place, with increased patrolling and strict scrutiny of access control.

The number of security personnel deployed was increased with airport security agencies also coordinating with the city police and other forces. All vehicles entering the airport premise were being double checked, a CISF sources said in Chennai.

An airport security coordination committee meeting was held on Saturday in response to the threat. “An email was sent by a woman in Hyderabad who overheard 6 youths discussing a plan to simultaneously carry out hijacks from Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad airports,” source said adding that a total of 23 people would be involved in the 3 hijacks planned for Sunday.

According to news agency reports, the Mumbai Police on Saturday night received an e-mail, purportedly sent by a Hyderabad-based woman. She claimed she overheard six men telling each other that “all 23 people have to split from here and board flights in three cities and hijack planes”.