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India airline gun security breach | India airline gun security breach |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Aviation chiefs in India have launched an inquiry after a prominent industrialist checked in a pistol and bullets on an international flight. | |
The businessman is a grandson of Pakistan's founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah. | The businessman is a grandson of Pakistan's founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah. |
The Indian national carrier, Air India, has removed at least one official as a result of the security breach. | The Indian national carrier, Air India, has removed at least one official as a result of the security breach. |
The official was alleged to have been present at the time the lapse occurred, and airport security apparatus failed to detect the firearm and bullets. | |
Seized | Seized |
Officials say that the well-known industrialist, Nusli Wadia, was found to be flying from Mumbai (Bombay) to Dubai last week with a revolver and 30 live bullets. | Officials say that the well-known industrialist, Nusli Wadia, was found to be flying from Mumbai (Bombay) to Dubai last week with a revolver and 30 live bullets. |
Mr Wadia is wealthy and well connected | Mr Wadia is wealthy and well connected |
They said that Mr Wadia checked in the weapon and bullets without making the mandatory disclosures to relevant security and immigration authorities. | |
Mr Wadia, the chairman of the private Go Air airline, was flying on 13 January on an Air India flight. | Mr Wadia, the chairman of the private Go Air airline, was flying on 13 January on an Air India flight. |
The firearm and bullets were only detected when his bag went through the screening machine at the security counter at Dubai airport. | The firearm and bullets were only detected when his bag went through the screening machine at the security counter at Dubai airport. |
The businessman was questioned by security and immigration officials at Dubai, and a statement from him was recorded. | The businessman was questioned by security and immigration officials at Dubai, and a statement from him was recorded. |
The pistol and bullets were seized by airport officials at Dubai. | The pistol and bullets were seized by airport officials at Dubai. |
Security alert | Security alert |
The question is how the security apparatus at Mumbai airport failed to detect the weapon and ammunition in his luggage despite stringent security checks and procedures. | The question is how the security apparatus at Mumbai airport failed to detect the weapon and ammunition in his luggage despite stringent security checks and procedures. |
Most Indians believe that they know the answer. | Most Indians believe that they know the answer. |
For important, influential and powerful Indians - and no-one disputes that Mr Wadia falls into that category - security checks at airports are cursory. | For important, influential and powerful Indians - and no-one disputes that Mr Wadia falls into that category - security checks at airports are cursory. |
That is the case even though a high-security alert has been in place at all Indian airports in the run-up to the country's republic day on 26 January. | |
The alert follows a warning from intelligence agencies that airports could be the target of separatist and terrorist groups. | The alert follows a warning from intelligence agencies that airports could be the target of separatist and terrorist groups. |
Airline officials are concerned over the security breach | Airline officials are concerned over the security breach |
When contacted by the BBC, Mr Wadia said he was not aware that he was carrying a gun and bullets in his checked-in baggage. | When contacted by the BBC, Mr Wadia said he was not aware that he was carrying a gun and bullets in his checked-in baggage. |
He said that his baggage was packed by his servant who put them in his luggage by mistake. | He said that his baggage was packed by his servant who put them in his luggage by mistake. |
"It's no more than a storm in a tea-cup. I was neither detained nor questioned. Only my statement was taken by officials at the Dubai airport and my pistol and bullets were kept by them throughout the time I was there." | "It's no more than a storm in a tea-cup. I was neither detained nor questioned. Only my statement was taken by officials at the Dubai airport and my pistol and bullets were kept by them throughout the time I was there." |
He said the incident was "a mistake" and that he was able to show his license for the weapon and ammunition before the Dubai authorities. | He said the incident was "a mistake" and that he was able to show his license for the weapon and ammunition before the Dubai authorities. |
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