Colombo: A Sri Lankan Airlines flight UL 122 arriving from Chennai was subjected to to a comprehensive security search upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo on Saturday. Notably, the flight underwent a security check after Indian intelligence inputs regarding potential suspects involved in the recent Pahalgam terror attack, reported News18.
"Sri Lankan Airlines wishes to inform the public that Flight UL 122, operated by aircraft 4R-ALS, which arrived in Colombo from Chennai at 11:59 hrs today (3 May), was subjected to a comprehensive security search upon arrival. This was carried out in coordination with local authorities following an alert from the Chennai Area Control Centre regarding a suspect wanted in India who was believed to be on board," the airline said in a statement.
The aircraft was then thoroughly inspected and subsequently cleared for further operations. "However, as a result of the mandatory security procedure, the next scheduled service, Flight UL 308 to Singapore, has been delayed," the airlines added.
According to the News18 report, Sri Lanka received an alert from India about six suspected terrorists on the flight. After the alert, Sri Lankan authorities conducted a search.
“The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority, and we strive to ensure that the highest standards of safety are consistently maintained," the airlines stated.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. One of the terrorists involved in the attack has been identified as Hashim Musa. He is reportedly a former commando of the Pakistan Army. As per eyewitnesses, terrorists singled out non-Muslims and shot them dead.
Initially, Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba's (LeT's) offshoot The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility for the attack. However, when the tension started to escalate between India and Pakistan, it denied its role.
