India-Pakistan tensions: Airlines told to conduct Secondary Ladder Point Check at airports | Details here

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan after the latter launched eight missiles at Satwari, Samba, RS Pura and Arnia sectors of Jammu and Kashmir, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on Thursday instructed all airlines and airports across the country to enhance security measures, reported ANI citing Ministry of Civil Aviation sources.

According to the ANI report, the BCAS directed the airports to implement Secondary Ladder Point Check (SLPC), ban visitors' entry to terminal buildings and deploy Air Marshals at appropriate areas.

Soon after the BCAS direction arrived, Air India also issued a travel advisory for passengers, asking them to arrive at their respective airports at least three hours prior to scheduled departure to ensure smooth check-in and boarding. It added that the check-in closes 75 minutes before departure.

Here's what Secondary Ladder Point Check means

The Secondary Ladder Point Check is a secondary-level security procedure, which is maintained by airlines. Under this, staff frisk passengers and their hand luggage just before boarding the aircraft following the initial security check by the CISF.

This process is undertaken by the airlines, which increase security before passengers board buses to reach the aircraft or at the aerobridge in situations with high security alerts.

Purpose of SLPC

The main purpose of SLPC is to provide an extra layer of screening beyond the primary CISF security check.

SLPC procedures

The airline staff use hand-held metal detectors to check passengers and their carry-on bags, just like CISF personnel do at airports.

When is SLPC implemented?

Whenever there are high security alerts, especially during Republic Day, Independence Day, and tensions at international borders, the airline staff implements the SLPC. This is done only after BCAS mandates airlines to implement the SLPC.

Shelling along the LoC:

In Jammu, eyewitnesses reported loud explosions and sirens, while a blackout was enforced in Kishtwar. Sirens were also heard throughout Kishtwar. Meanwhile, a blackout has also been enforced in Akhnoor of Jammu Division.

In the meantime, blackouts have has been enforced in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, Samba, Jammu, and Udhampur. Apart from this, blackouts have also been imposed in Punjab's Jalandhar and Amritsar. Also, Barmer remains on alert as city observes blackout.