Gaya on high alert after letter threatening to blow up airport

The letter threatening to blow up the Gaya airport on Holi made the administration nauseous. A letter addressed to Gaya Airport Director Bangjeet Saha warned against carrying out drone and chemical attacks on the airport, prompting the administration to declare a high alert in the area.

The airport director reported the matter to the Gaya Superintendent of Police (SSP) and an investigation was launched to get the matter straight. “Prima facie, nothing suspicious was found in this connection. Although they are taking the information seriously, all officers concerned have been urged to be vigilant. After an investigation in Gaya, it was found that the names and addresses of the doctor and the teacher were mentioned in the letter. Further action will be taken after verifying their details,” said Gaya SSP Ashish Bharati.

“Names and addresses of 27 people, including 21 from Bihar, are mentioned in the letter. Among those from Bihar are three from Gaya. Besides, names and addresses of two persons from Jharkhand and four from Assam are also mentioned in the letter,” he added.

In view of the letter, Central Industrial Security (CISF) personnel have been deployed to secure the Gaya airport. People arriving at the airport are carefully monitored. The unsigned letter was sent to the Varanasi airport on Thursday. From Varanasi, the letter was handed to Gaya.

Additional Director General (ADG) of Police Directorate Jitendra Singh Gangwar said that the Gaya police is conducting an investigation in connection with the threat letter. When asked if any specific issues have been identified in view of Holi, Gangwar said, “Necessary instructions have been given to all areas to ensure a peaceful Holi. Monitoring also takes place at the headquarters level. Paramilitary forces will be deployed wherever necessary. Altogether, 25 companies of reserve police and 2,500 home guards are deployed.” He added that all policemen's vacations will remain canceled during Holi.