The National Security Guard (NSG) commandos who conducted a security drill in an emergency standby Air India aircraft for use by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent U.S. visit are in the dock for reportedly leaving behind a dummy stun grenade.
The grenade created a scare on board the Air India’s Boeing 747-400 when its crew members spotted it in the business class section on Friday night. They reported the matter to the higher-ups after the aircraft landed in Jeddah.
On a closer examination, the bomb experts found that it did not contain any explosive. Preliminary enquiries have indicated that the NSG commandos involved in a security drill would have left it behind by mistake. “Proceedings are being initiated to fix accountability for the lapse,” said a government official.
Any aircraft kept on an emergency standby for use by VVIPs, particularly the Prime Minister, is taken over by security and intelligence agencies well in advance as part of the standard operating procedure.
Apart from the explosive detection and disposal squads, intelligence sleuths take part in the exercise. For the plane meant to be used by the Prime Minister, the Special Protection Group is also roped in.
Every nook and cranny of the aircraft undergoes several rounds of anti-sabotage checks by intelligence agencies and aeronautical technicians, using sophisticated gadgets. Fuelling of the aircraft, if required, is also carried out under strict supervision.
Once the Prime Minister leaves on board another plane, the standby is released for commercial use. According to government sources, reports suggesting that security of the Boeing-747 was compromised are not correct. “Also, it all happened after the plane was released for commercial use,” said another official.
