Indian airports on hijack alert

India has placed a number of its major airports on high alert after receiving threats that planes may be hijacked imminently.

Security at the airports has been tightened and passengers are being requested to check in three hours before their flights.

The warning comes a week after more than 170 people were killed in a series of attacks on the city of Mumbai.

All vehicles entering the airports are being checked and "perimeter surveillance" has been set up, local officials claim.

Indian television station NDTV claims the Bureau of Civil Aviation issued the hijack alert for Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai airports after a warning was sent suggesting terror groups may hijack aircraft on this coming Saturday.

Air force chief Fali Homi Major is quoted as saying: "This is based on a warning, which has been received and we are prepared as usual."

India's defence minister A.K.Antony has reportedly told military chiefs to be prepared for future attacks from the air and seas after growing criticism of the security standards prior to the Mumbai attacks.

Up to 172 people were killed in the attacks last Wednesday and almost 300 others were injured when gunmen attacked seven separate sites in the city, including the Taj MahAl Palace hotel.

Richard James