Soon, laptops may be banned in hand baggage: CISF DG

In a bid to thwart terror attacks, restrictions may be imposed on carrying laptops in hand baggage in flights. This comes along with the plan of installing body scanners in all airports across the country.

The matter has been taken into consideration after it came to light that terror outfits including IS and Al-Qaeda are developing a bomb small enough to fit in a laptop that could get past airport scanners.

Though the final decision in connection with imposing a restriction on carrying laptops in hand baggage is yet to be taken, the discussion in this connection has already started.

Besides, taking necessary measures to restrict the use of laptops on board, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has also decided to introduce scanners to detect explosives in liquid form. Such scanners will be installed in all the airports. A final decision in this regard has already been taken, a source said adding at present 59 out of 98 airports in the country are manned by CISF.

The body scanner is already in use in Delhi Airport on trial basis. The final decision on installing body scanners in all airports across the country will be taken if the trial run in Delhi Airport goes off well.

OP Singh, Director General of CISF, said on Sunday: "There are grey areas in every airport that do not come under CCTV coverage. There is a challenge to tackle the grey areas."

Stressing on the need to improve the security in airports both with the help of technology and manpower augmentation, Singh said: "Non-stamping of hand baggage will be implemented in all the airports by the end of this year. It was initially started in seven airports after trial runs. It will ensure a hassle free journey to passengers."