Man sneaks into technical areas of Palam air base, triggers panic

It was nothing less than a replay of the Pathankot terror attack for the country's security agencies when a suspicious man sneaked into the Palam Air Force station at the Indira Gandhi International airport side and reached up to the sensitive technical area, giving slip to the multi-layered security cover.

Sources said that the station, regarded as one of the most sensitive areas in the country and hosts all VIP movements, is guarded by the Air Force police, Delhi police and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

The incident that was reported around 10 am on Thursday, triggered panic among intelligence agencies and the man was being jointly interrogated by the police and intelligence sleuths till late Friday. However, sources claimed that nothing suspicious was recovered from him.

The man was caught in the "prohibited area" of the Palam airbase near 27 end. He revealed his identity as 30-year-old Ashok Kumar, a permanent resident of Bilaspur near Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh. "Questioning and primary probe revealed he gained entry through the tech gate to the restricted area. No incriminating item was found with apart from Rs 77 and a pair of earphones. The Delhi police were immediately roped in and he was handed over to them," said a senior officer.

The Air Force police, and the Delhi police, with a dog squad, combed the entire air base. CCTV cameras were also checked, officers said.

"The Palam air base is a den of crucial assets for the Indian Air Force. After more than an hour-long combing operation, we declared the area safe and the man was arrested. He was booked under IPC Section 447 for criminal trespass. Thereafter, he was presented for a joint interrogation by the intelligence agencies and police that continued till late Friday evening," said a senior police officer.