Security at Airports Strengthened: BCAS extends CISF Mandate to cargo and baggage screening operations

New Delhi, May 10

In a significant decision to boost security across Indian civil airports, the Director General of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has issued an Official Memorandum (OM) temporarily extending the role of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) as the Aviation Security Group (ASG) to provide additional security cover to Cargo operations and the In-line Hold Baggage Screening System (ILHBSS).

The CISF stated that this arrangement, effective from May 9, 2025, to May 18, 2025, is a direct response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and the subsequent security scenario in the country. The enhancement of CISF's mandate is essential to reinforce security arrangements at all civil airports.

CISF has responded immediately and resumed oversight over cargo and baggage operations. CISF will oversee operations and the Security staff of airport operators for ILHBSS. The directives also authorize CISF personnel to perform random checks and oversee access control to these critical facilities.

All the airports under cover of CISF, have already implemented the new strengthened system.

Prior to this directive, CISF's deployment as the primary aviation security force did not explicitly extend to the direct security and screening of cargo operations and the In-line Hold Baggage Screening System.

The decision aims to introduce a crucial secondary layer of security checks to enhance Aviation Security, officials further added.