General public should cooperate with the Airport Security Force to enforce the "one visitor policy" ie one person receiving one passenger at the airports and avoid social gatherings to minimise attraction of terrorists, said Director General, Major General Sohail Ahmad Khan. In an interaction with media, on Tuesday at the ASF Headquarters in Karachi, the two-star officer gave a detailed briefing on the attack by 10 terrorists on Jinnah Airport, Karachi, last year on June 8th.
He said terrorists attacked the Jinnah Airport from two sides. One from the Fokker gate near the old terminal building and the other from ICG gate near the new Jinnah Terminal. However, due to heroic efforts of ASF staff - who lost 12 persons and got 13 injured - the nefarious objective of terrorists was frustrated. The terrorist could not damage either the aircraft parked on the apron and three flights loaded with passengers and fuel. All the assets of Civil Aviation inclusive of fuel tanks remained unharmed.
Major General Sohail further said that the Federal Government in the aftermath of attacks by terrorists decided to upgrade ASF and equip it with modern weapons. He said now ASF is protecting 42 installations of which 24 are operational airports and the Pasni Radar installation. He said ASF wanted to act as a facilitator but when an installation is on 'red alert' passengers and the airport staff are inconvenienced.
He said ASF has been assigned a specific role which is to protect the assets of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and provide a safe and pleasant environment at airports and ASF is working towards this goal, he said. He said the Federal Government desired the upgradation of ASF hierarchy by appointing a two star officer as DG and a one star as Deputy DG. Further, the government has approved around 10% additional manpower to add some fresh blood to the existing 10,000 strong Force, which is managing 42 Airports across the country. He said the Security infrastructure of some selected Airports based on International standard, is being undertaken. Uptil now the project at Lahore Airport has been completed and the rest will be taken up subject to availability of funds.
Furthermore, he said ASF is in the process of procuring some modern weapons, robust vehicles for QRF, bullet-proof helmets, bullet-proof jackets and communication equipment. He said Security measures have been enhanced following the 8th June terrorist attack. ASF has maintained additional protective procedures with the help of Rangers, Police and other law enforcing agencies. The terrorist on 8th June attack were dressed in ASF type blue uniform. The blue colour uniform had become too common and was being used by at least six forces. In order to give ASF a new outlook, a new uniform with unique look has been introduced.
ASF officers and men are performing their assigned tasks to their best and they are fully capable of doing it. However, without the co-operation of civil society, ASF will not be able to implement security protocols with success. Therefore, he urged the media, to bear in mind their common objectives and create awareness amongst masses to tailor their behaviour in consonance with international norms. "Unfortunately our behaviour is different when travelling abroad and we tend to go rowdy no sooner we land at our own national airports. As responsible citizen, we are obliged to follow same norms while travelling inland as well. That's where media can help sensitize our society and play its role towards over all good," he concluded.