The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Wednesday took over the security of Leh Airport that was earlier secured by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
The CISF will have a sanctioned strength of more than 180 personnel to secure the Leh airport. The unit will be headed by a Deputy Commandant rank officer. With this induction, total units under CISF security cover raised to 349 including 64 airports as on date.
During a ceremony at the airport attended by CISF DG Rajesh Ranjan, Sonam Norbu, Director, Leh Airport, handed over a key replica to Deputy Commandant, Sanket Gaikwad as a symbol of handing over the reins of security to the CISF.
In his address, Ranjan elaborated on the dynamics of security at this Hypersensitive Airport. DG, CISF emphasised that a coordinated effort is to be made by all government agencies and stakeholders to ensure security of Leh airport.
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Leh Airport is located in Western Himalayas, Ladakh Region and serves as the main Airport of the whole Ladakh Region.
During winter months, Leh airport is the only gateway of Ladakh as there is limited connectivity by road due to heavy snowfall. Civil commercial flight started in 1978. This is the highest altitude airport of India that operates in extreme weather conditions (+35 Degrees Celsius to -35 Degrees Celsius). This is the most tourist intensive airport of India.
After the function, DG, CISF along-with other senior officers of CISF and Airport Director, Leh airport had a security-walk around of all the areas of airport including terminal building and airside.
Earlier, on reaching Leh on Tuesday, Ranjan interacted with CISF personnel who will be shouldering the security of Leh airport, and exhorted them to strive hard to achieve the state of zero-error security. He also inaugurated barracks for CISF personnel and reviewed the administrative and operational arrangements at the airport.